Question

It's 1982. Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1972. The states have ten years to ratify the amendment. Thirty-five states have ratified the ERA. The state of Florida has yet to decide on its ratification. The Florida state legislature created a ratification commission which is charged with hosting a series of town-hall meetings throughout the state, gathering information from their constituents on the matter. The commission is scheduled to arrive in Miami at the University of Miami. Prepare a set of talking points for your testimony before the commission, taking on the role of ONE of the following individuals and explain:

Whether or not they would support Florida's ratification of the ERA and why
What are the pros and cons of the ERA for women
Choose ONE of the following individuals:

Carol Anderson, a housewife living in Coral Gables and is a member of STOP ERA, founded by Phylis Schlafly
Gwen Kennedy, a civil rights attorney and a member of the Feminist Party, founded by Flo Kennedy
Ruth Meyers, a Miami librarian and a member of the National Organization for Women or NOW
Jeanie Putnam, Co-Founder of Citizens Against Women's Draft of Tampa, Florida

Answer 1

As a member of STOP ERA, I would not support Florida's ratification of the ERA. The ERA has advantages for women but also potential drawbacks such as military conscription and loss of certain protections in divorce cases.

Step-by-step explanation:

As a member of STOP ERA, founded by Phylis Schlafly, I would not support Florida's ratification of the ERA.

The ERA has advantages for women as it provides equal treatment regardless of sex, which would help combat gender discrimination. However, opponents argue that passage of the ERA could subject women to military conscription and could potentially strip away certain protections for women in divorce cases, such as alimony and custody rights.

It is important to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether or not to support the ratification of the ERA.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Certainly! Let's take on the role of Ruth Meyers, a Miami librarian and a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Here are some talking points for your testimony:

Support for Florida's Ratification of the ERA:

Strongly advocate for Florida's ratification of the ERA as it's a critical step towards ensuring gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women in various spheres of life.

Highlight the importance of constitutional protections against sex-based discrimination, emphasizing the need for legal remedies to address gender disparities in employment, wages, and societal opportunities.

Stress that ratification of the ERA aligns with NOW's mission to achieve full equality for all women and support their rights as equal citizens.

Pros of the ERA for Women:

Equality in Law: The ERA would provide a constitutional guarantee that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." This would help rectify gender-based injustices and inequalities.

Legal Remedies: The ERA would serve as a powerful tool in addressing discriminatory laws and practices, offering a legal foundation to challenge gender-based disparities in various fields, including employment, education, and legal rights.

Cultural Shift: Ratification of the ERA can foster a cultural shift towards gender equality, reinforcing the message that discrimination based on sex is unacceptable and unconstitutional.

Cons of the ERA (as per opponents):

Argument of Unintended Consequences: Some opponents argue that the ERA might lead to unforeseen legal and social changes, potentially challenging traditional family structures and societal norms.

Concerns about Gender Neutrality: There are concerns that gender-neutral laws might jeopardize certain protections and benefits that women currently have in specific contexts, such as in family law or social programs.

Interpretation of Existing Laws: Critics contend that existing laws already provide protections against sex discrimination, questioning the necessity of the ERA and its potential impact on interpreting these laws differently.

Ruth Meyers' stance would emphasize the urgent need for Florida's ratification of the ERA to advance gender equality, promote legal protections for women, and eliminate gender-based discrimination.