Equal Rights Amendment

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have guaranteed equal rights under law for Americans regardless of gender.

Opposition issues

Opponents of the ERA argue that its passage would have far-reaching implications, obliterating traditional distinctions between the sexes. Women, ERA opponents claim, would be required to register for the Selective Service System (the draft) just as men currently do, and would have to serve in combat just as men must. Opponents go on to assert that the ERA would also remove laws that specially protect women, such as labor laws in heavy industry. Some states, such as Connecticut and New Mexico, have even ordered the use of tax monies in the case of "medically necessary" abortions, based upon state ERAs, under the theory that women must have health care every bit as comprehensive as that accorded to men. Interestingly, Alice Paul—author of the original ERA, as noted earlier—was an opponent of abortion and described the procedure as "the ultimate exploitation of women."

Related Topics:
Selective Service System - Combat - Laws - Labor - Connecticut - New Mexico

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Other critics have argued that the courts could rule that the ERA would mandate the recognition of same-sex marriage. Critics also maintain that the ERA would require the integration of single-sex schools, sports teams or even restrooms—they point to a decision by a court in the State of Washington which ordered a fraternal civic organization to admit women, based upon the ERA within its state constitution. Finally, some opponents of the ERA contend that the amendment simply is not necessary, and that other provisions of the Constitution—and various rulings by the Supreme Court—provide sufficient support for equal rights for both genders.

Related Topics:
Same-sex marriage - School - Sports team - Washington - Fraternal - Civic - Organization

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Supporters of the amendment characterize these implications as "scare tactics" designed to obscure the real advantages of a constitutional guarantee of equal rights for men and women. Supporters assert that the ] which opponents perpetuate about the ERA are either without merit or concern separate issues which the ERA would not affect. For instance, ERA advocates point out that the notion that the ERA would require women to register for the draft ignores the fact under Article I of the Constitution, Congress has always had the power to draft women.

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