The Equal Rights Amendment: A Constitutional Basis for Equal Rights for Women

Abstract

In the present legal structure, some laws exclude women from legal rights, opportunities, or responsibilities. Some are framed as legislation conferring special benefits, or protection, on women. Others create or perpetuate a separate legal status without indicating on their face whether the position of women ranks below, or above, the position of men. Many of the efforts to create a separate legal status for women stem from a good faith attempt to advance the interests of women. Nevertheless, the preponderant effect has been to buttress the social and economic subordination of women.