Read about the status of the Equal Rights Amendment at this link. Why do you think the amendment has faced such opposition, even today?
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. The amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1923, but has yet to be ratified.
As of 2021, the ERA has been ratified by 38 states, the minimum number required for enactment. However, its adoption has faced numerous challenges, including a deadline set by Congress that expired in 1982. Efforts have been made in recent years to remove the deadline and officially recognize the ERA, but some legal experts argue that the deadline cannot be extended retroactively.
Opposition to the ERA has come from various groups and individuals who argue that it would undermine traditional gender roles and potentially lead to unintended consequences, such as women being subject to the draft or losing benefits reserved for them. Some conservative groups also argue that the ERA is unnecessary, as they believe existing laws already protect against gender discrimination.
It is likely that the ERA has faced such opposition due to deeply held beliefs about gender roles and concerns about the potential impact of the amendment on society. Additionally, political polarization and competing interests may have also contributed to the ongoing challenges in ratifying the ERA.