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Today, the Equal Rights Amendment was reintroduced into the House (Carolyn Maloney, D-NY) and the Senate (Kennedy, D-MA)
Reasons for the ERA
Those who support the Equal Rights Amendment (including The National Council of Women's Organizations) believe that equality in the sexes must be acknowledged at the Constitutional level. The only right that the Constitution currently contains that affirms equally for men and women is the right to vote. They believe that the Equal Rights Amendment would:
- Help to clarify laws in the courts regarding sex discrimination - including equal pay, stereotyping against pregnant women and mothers, pensions, and insurance.
- Push lawmakers and judges to consider female experiences in regards to violence, Social Security, taxes, wages, domestic relations, insurance, and more.
- Improve the standing of the United States in the eyes of other countries in regards to equal justice.
Argument Against Equal Rights Amendment
There are men, women, and various organizations (including Concerned Women for America and the National Council of Catholic Women) that oppose the Equal Rights Amendment, citing various reasons for their decision. These reasons include:
- The ERA would supersede state law, giving open interpretation to the courts.
- Any laws favoring one sex over the other, including rape laws, could be challenged.
- Women would be equally responsible for financial obligations.
- ERA could repeal all anti-abortion laws.
- Divorced women could be affected in their alimony, child support, and child custody.
- ERA would not protect privacy between the sexes in hospitals, prisons, schools, etc.
- Men and women would be eligible for a military draft if it was reinstated.
- Same-sex marriages could be legal under the ERA.
- Boy scouts and girl scouts could not exclude members of the opposite sex.
- Sports teams would be open to both sexes.
Is this something that Lutherans should support? Why or why not?
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