Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed constitutional amendment designed to guarantee that sex not be the basis for any legal decisions or distinctions. Despite not being ratified by a sufficient number of states to become a constitutional amendment, the principles of the ERA have influenced numerous statutes and judicial rulings.

Definition

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first proposed in 1923 by the National Woman’s Party and reintroduced to Congress in every session from its introduction. The primary intention of the ERA was to ensure that legal rights could not be abridged based on sex, seeking to eliminate discrimination and establish equal treatment under the law for both men and women.

While it achieved significant milestones, such as passing both houses of Congress in 1972, the ERA failed to be ratified by the required number of state legislatures before the extended deadline, and thus it was not adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Nevertheless, its principles have persistently influenced U.S. legislative and judicial actions.

Historical Attempts for Ratification:

  • 1972: Passed by the U.S. Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
  • 1977: Achieved 35 of the necessary 38 state ratifications.
  • 2020: Virginia’s ratification claimed a symbolic threshold of 38 states, though legal and procedural debates continue about this and the deadline imposed by Congress.

Examples

  1. State Laws and Policies: Many states have incorporated the principles of the ERA into their constitutions and policies, ensuring gender equality in various sectors such as employment, education, and family law.
  2. Court Rulings: Several U.S. Supreme Court and lower court decisions, such as Reed v. Reed (1971), have applied principles akin to those advocated by the ERA, disallowing sex-based discrimination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the main purpose of the ERA?

Answer: The main purpose of the ERA was to eliminate sex as a basis for any legal decisions or distinctions, ensuring equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender.

How many states needed to ratify the ERA?

Answer: The ERA required ratification by three-quarters (38) of the 50 state legislatures to become a constitutional amendment.

Did the ERA become a part of the U.S. Constitution?

Answer: No, the ERA did not become part of the U.S. Constitution as it did not secure the required 38 state ratifications before the Congressional deadline.

Why is the ERA still relevant today?

Answer: The principles of the ERA continue to influence numerous state laws, policies, and judicial decisions, striving for gender equality across various aspects of society.

Answer: The ERA has influenced important legal decisions, including those by the U.S. Supreme Court, which have used the amendment’s principles to rule against sex-based discrimination.

Gender Equality

The state of equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making.

Title IX

A federal civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives federal funding.

Reed v. Reed

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 1971 that ruled that administrators of estates cannot be named in a way that discriminates between sexes.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A landmark civil rights and labor law that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Online References

Suggested Books for Further Reading

  • “The Equal Rights Amendment: Myths and Realities - A Guide for the Public” by Roberta W. Francis
  • “Equal Means Equal: Why the Time for an Equal Rights Amendment Is Now” by Jessica Neuwirth
  • “Why We Lost the ERA” by Jane J. Mansbridge

Fundamentals of Equal Rights Amendment: Law and Gender Studies Basics Quiz

### What does the ERA seek to eliminate as a basis for any legal decision? - [ ] Race - [x] Sex - [ ] Age - [ ] Religion > **Explanation:** The ERA aims to eliminate sex as a basis for any legal decisions, ensuring that no person should be denied rights on the basis of their gender. ### When was the ERA first proposed? - [ ] 1965 - [ ] 1984 - [x] 1923 - [ ] 1990 > **Explanation:** The ERA was first proposed in 1923 by the National Woman's Party. ### How many states had ratified the ERA by the end of the 1977 deadline? - [ ] 28 - [ ] 38 - [x] 35 - [ ] 40 > **Explanation:** By the 1977 deadline, 35 state legislatures had ratified the ERA, three short of the required 38 for it to become a constitutional amendment. ### Why do some believe the ERA is still relevant? - [ ] It has already been ratified. - [ ] It addresses environmental issues. - [x] Its principles continue to influence legislation and court decisions. - [ ] It is a recent proposal. > **Explanation:** The ERA remains relevant because its principles continue to influence numerous laws, policies, and court decisions aimed at ensuring gender equality. ### What notable court case applied ERA-like principles? - [x] Reed v. Reed - [ ] Brown v. Board of Education - [ ] Roe v. Wade - [ ] Plessy v. Ferguson > **Explanation:** The case of Reed v. Reed (1971) applied principles similar to those advocated by the ERA, asserting that administrators of estates cannot be named in a way that discriminates between sexes. ### How many states need to ratify an amendment for it to become part of the U.S. Constitution? - [ ] 50 - [x] 38 - [ ] 40 - [ ] 45 > **Explanation:** To amend the U.S. Constitution, three-quarters of the states, or 38 states, need to ratify the proposed amendment. ### Which federal law prohibited discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs? - [ ] Fair Labor Standards Act - [ ] Voting Rights Act - [x] Title IX - [ ] Social Security Act > **Explanation:** Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibited sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. ### What organization supports the campaign for the ERA? - [ ] Human Rights Watch - [ ] World Wildlife Fund - [ ] Transparency International - [x] ERA Coalition > **Explanation:** The ERA Coalition is one of the organizations that support and campaign for the ratification and adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment. ### What is a common goal of the ERA and the Civil Rights Act of 1964? - [ ] To promote international trade - [ ] To reduce environmental pollution - [x] To eliminate discrimination - [ ] To encourage technological innovation > **Explanation:** A common goal of the ERA and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is to eliminate discrimination, with the Civil Rights Act focused broadly on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, and the ERA specifically targeting sex-based discrimination. ### Which constitutional principle is fundamentally supported by the ERA? - [x] Equal protection under the law - [ ] Right to bear arms - [ ] Right to free speech - [ ] Right to privacy > **Explanation:** The fundamental principle supported by the ERA is equal protection under the law, ensuring that no legal rights are denied based on sex.

Thank you for exploring the depths of gender equality with our comprehensive coverage on the Equal Rights Amendment and taking our quiz. Keep learning and challenging societal norms in pursuit of fairness and justice!


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Accounting Terms Lexicon

Discover comprehensive accounting definitions and practical insights. Empowering students and professionals with clear and concise explanations for a better understanding of financial terms.