Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Introduction

The Equal Rights Amendment, known by its English acronym ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) was an amendment proposal to the U.S. Constitution, but that failed to be ratified. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul in 1923, which unsuccessfully proposed to Congress. In 1972 he appeared again and was approved by House of Representatives and the Senate, after which he was sent to the legislatures of the states for ratification. After a ten-year campaign that polarized public debate in many states, the June 30, 1982 expiry of the period for ratification, so it was not adopted and is not part of the constitution. In 1972, the U.S. Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which stated that federal and state law would not discriminate against anyone based on sex. From 1972 to 1982, 35 U.S. states ratified the ERA, a number that fell three short of the necessary total. During the ratification period, the amendment became the subject of controversy and served as a divisive issue among women in the United States. Since 1982, the Equal Rights Amendment has been introduced into every session of U.S. Congress, but Congress has not passed the amendment again.

Discussion

U.S. suffragist Alice Paul authored the ERA, and from 1923 to 1972, the ERA was introduced into every session of Congress. In 1946, the Senate voted on the ERA, but the amendment failed. During the 1950s, the Senate had two different, successful votes on the ERA. Each time, the ERA was sent to the House to be voted upon, but the House did not act before the session ended. One reason the ERA enjoyed Senate support during the 1950s was the attachment of the Hayden Rider, safeguarding women's existing legal benefits. Proponents of the ERA saw the Hayden Rider as problematic. Due to the efforts of the National Organization for Women, from 1970 to 1972, the Senate and the House held hearings on the ERA. On March 23, 1972, Congress passed the ERA, and gave the Era's ratification a time limit of seven years-until 1979. Support was initially swift and strong. Hawaii ratified the ERA within hours, and a total of 30 states ratified the ERA by the end of the amendment's first calendar year. However, soon after this, the number of ratifications decreased sharply; in 1977, Indiana became the 35th and last state to ratify. Supporters of the ERA persuaded Congress to extend the amendment's deadline to 1982. Meanwhile, five states' legislatures had rescinded, or taken back, their ratifications of the ERA. Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Tennessee justified rescission by stating that they had ratified too hastily and did not appreciate the possible deleterious effects of the ERA on women and the family. South Dakota rescinded as a protest against the amendment's deadline extension. These rescissions were of questionable legality and caused controversy. (Becker, 25-26)

The Policy Of Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities

Radical changes in gender politics of western countries started in the 60s under the influence of second-wave women's ...