What concerns motivated people who opposed the ERA?

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that was designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. However, it faced significant opposition. Here are some of the main concerns that motivated those who opposed the ERA:

1. Traditional Gender Roles: Some people believed that the ERA would disrupt traditional gender roles and family structures. They feared that it would lead to women being drafted into the military and to the elimination of laws protecting women in divorce and alimony cases.

2. Women in the Military: The ERA could have made women subject to the draft and eligible for combat roles, a prospect that many people were uncomfortable with.

3. Loss of Protections: Some opponents argued that the ERA would eliminate certain protections that women enjoyed, such as exemption from combat duty and certain benefits in divorce cases.

4. Influence of Conservative Groups: Conservative groups, such as the Eagle Forum led by Phyllis Schlafly, campaigned vigorously against the ERA. They argued that it would lead to moral decay, including same-sex marriages and the use of unisex bathrooms.

5. Economic Impact: Some people were concerned about the economic impact of the ERA. They believed it could lead to increased costs for businesses due to requirements for equal pay and benefits for women.

6. Legal Redundancy: Some opponents felt that the ERA was unnecessary because gender equality was already protected under the 14th Amendment and other federal laws. They argued that the ERA would lead to an excessive amount of litigation over gender discrimination.