Back when I first became a feminist (in the early 90s), I was shocked to find out that the ERA in the 70s didn’t pass. And from what I read, it mostly seemed to not go over well with more conservative women. Now I don’t know a whole lot about the situation (other than what I’ve read on Wikipedia), but I’m willing to learn.
So my question is for those who were of age then (as I was just a kid), what really did happen to prevent it, from a personal perspective? Next, do you think there will ever be a chance that it’ll pass? Lastly, if not, what needs to change for it to stand a chance?
The ERA was never ratified since, say, the 1920’s or so.
The original language expired, so there’s zero chance that the ERA will pass. Someone could introduce a new one, I guess, but then you’re starting from scratch in getting the states to ratify it. Will that ever happen? Hard to say. There’s not really much point, other than symbolism, and that’s not what the governing document of our nation is intended for.
At this point, I would say it’s not worth the time or effort (and money) it would take to pass it. I’m a woman, and a feminist, and I’m okay with that. Women’s rights are covered by myriad other laws, it’s not necessary to pass a Constitutional amendment.
Women are already paid equally to men in the same jobs.
The only things that drag “average pay for women” lower than “average pay for men” is that women often take lower-paying jobs and they often take extended time off to raise children.
I was just a kid too, but from what I remember, opposition to the ERA included those who had silly objections (“It would require unisex bathrooms!!”), those who had more serious objections (“Young women would have to register for the draft along with young men”), those who thought it was unnecessary, and those who were happy with the way things were and feared change, for various reasons. (So I guess it’s not unlike opposition to health care reform today.)
For the ERA as such to have a chance of passing nowadays, inequality and discrimination would have to increase, in a way that couldn’t be addressed with less drastic measures. I think there’s very little chance of an “equal rights between the sexes” amendment being passed on its own, but I would be less surprised to see a more general “equal rights”-type amendment passed someday that included equality for men and women among other sorts.
Thanks everyone, especially for the links. I think I understand better now and believe that everyone is correct… things have already been addressed in other ways that make better, and less drastic, sense.
It would be interesting to see how the courts would interpret the ERA (the version passed by Congress in the 70s) regarding registration for the draft. Women’s roles in the military have been dramitcally expanded since the '70s (basically everything except certain infrantry roles, special forces, and submarine service). I wonder what the political reaction to a SCOTUS ruling prohibiting male-only draft registration.
I was a pretty small kid when it came around too and heard the fearmongering “using the same bathrooms” was a biggie. I remember sitting in my Mom’s store, staring at the men and womens bathroom doors and wondering why the heck was it such a big deal, we all used the same bathroom at home.
Don’t forget the biggest threat, that it would allow homosexuals to marry. Of course, that will be allowed long before women are guaranteed equal rights, oh wait, it is already legal, sort of.
The worst thing? How many women think being a feminist is a bad thing. Young girls today think it is a dirty word. Quiz them on their thoughts on equal rights, equal pay, non-descrimination? They are all for it, just don’t DARE to call them a feminist.