Final answer:
The National Women's Party opposed protective legislation for women, as they believed it reinforced gender discrimination by perpetuating stereotypes and limiting opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National Women's Party (NWP) did indeed oppose protective legislation for women in the workforce because they believed it reinforced workplace discrimination. The NWP took a rather ideological stance on women's equality, arguing that protective laws were based on stereotypes about women's roles and capabilities, thereby perpetuating sex-based discrimination and limiting women's opportunities in the workforce. By contrast, many others believed that such laws acknowledged and accommodated the biological differences and domestic responsibilities of women.
They argued for gender equality through the Equal Rights Amendment which, if passed, would guarantee that rights could not be denied on the basis of sex, potentially nullifying protective legislation. This approach by the NWP was in philosophical conflict with many labor organizations and other women's groups that valued protective legislation because it provided certain benefits to women workers.