Question

in the 1970s the equal rights amendment was submitted by congress to the states for ratification. The equal rights amendment would have guaranteed equal rights for woman. During the ratification process, which was one of the arguments opponents of the amendment made?

Answer 1

Opponents of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s argued it could negate protective laws for women. They feared consequences like military conscription for women, loss of child custody preferences, and undermining of state protections for working women and single mothers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment

During the ratification process of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the 1970s, one of the primary arguments made by opponents was that it could negate laws designed to protect women. Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly was a leading figure in the movement against the ERA and contended that the amendment would deprive women of certain protections, such as preferential custody rights in divorce proceedings, exemption from the draft, and the right to receive child support and alimony. Opponents also feared that passage of the ERA would lead to women being subjected to military conscription and that it could undermine state laws offering protections for working women and single mothers.

Answer 2

Arguments against the ERA included: protective laws specifically for women would be removed, custody rights would no longer favor women, the draft would be required for women, and bathrooms would no longer be separated based on sex.

The opponents to the ERA argued the amendment would take away the protections and special rights women had in society. It would disregard the importance of gender difference and the reasons why men and women should be treated differently.