Individuals against the Equal Rights Amendment were afraid that women would lose a lot of privileges they currently enjoyed. This includes:
1) Exemption from military service- Schlafy and other advocates against the Equal Rights Amendment were afraid that women would be forced to join the military if there was ever another draft.
2) "Dependent wife" benefits: Under the Social Security Act of 1935, women were able to receive financial benefits based on their husband's occupation/age.