Readers Respond: Why do women need equal rights to be guaranteed by law?

The 19th Amendment gave us the right to vote and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects us from gender discrimination in the workplace, but there's no legal document that says women and men have equal rights.

Ask most young women today about the Equal Rights Amendment and many will say it's law. Yet the ERA has come before Congress repeatedly since 1923 and has yet to be ratified by the states.

Would an Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution make a difference? What would it mean to you? What Are Your Thoughts?

we are all epual!

i think women are important just like men so we should have the same things that apply to men because ladies we do matter. just to tell you i am only in 8th grade and i am 14! juat wanted you to hear what a kid ahd to say!

—Guest Mauriah

Oppositing to Women's Rights

Because if it wasn't for the women, us men wouldn't be here. So you gotta respect the women for the struggle they had and the things they tought you. Listen to your mother, also your father, because they are the ones that gave you your life.

—Guest Rodney

Clean House and Pass the ERA

The reason that the Equal Rights Amendment has not passed is that privileged women are against it. They have the money and the clout and these women have been oppressing other women for years. So its time to clean house and get rid of the rubbish.

—Guest Edward Nunes

Gender and Higher Education

When I attended Sonoma State in the 1960's, a professor from the University of California spoke of Berkeley Physics. This was a time when standup orals were the rigor at Sonoma State and so they counted more than the written tests. One student raised this perplexing question, are the physical laws in Berkeley any different those in Rohnert Park? The physical laws are the same but the compensating factors are different. For an example, the magnetic north pole constantly moves. The point is that it’s not the college’s reputation that counts. It is what the student does to ensure that they receive a proper education and that has nothing do with gender. Edward Steven Nunes

—Guest Edward Steven Nunes

Women need to be more protected

Women cannot speak for themselves, they need someone who can speak for them so it will help them a lot to be protected by Law and when ever they are abused they can be able to report the matter when they know action is going to be taken.

—Guest Sthembile

ERA - Remove the Hayden Rider

The reason that this amendment was never ratified was that the Senate added the Hayden rider that said: "The provisions of this article shall not be construed to impair any rights, benefits, or exemptions now or hereafter conferred by law upon persons of the female sex." As a result, the Hayden rider would exempt women from any crime that they have committed or will commit. It also means that women, as an identifiable group would have unfettered and complete immunity. So the only change that I would make would remove the Hayden rider and that the amendment would take effect within one year of ratification. So far, twenty-one states have a version of the ERA in their constitution and some may have removed the Hayden rider.

—Guest Edward Steven Nunes

Support Equal Rights

The family courts have always pandered to women and their false claims and that is what this proposal is all about. So would you believe that any future employer would hire a man who was falsely accused of abusing his wife or children? It is time to support equal rights for men and women and that is what the Equal Rights Amendment is all about. The amendment, as it was written by Alice Paul says that the equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.

—Guest Edward Steven Nunes

Because Men Write the Laws

...and make the rules. By the way, thanks for the junk science, Mark. Exactly what are those bell curves measuring? I know of no parameter that would explain that when two equally qualified people, one a woman and one a man, compete for a job, statistically, the man will get the job an overwhelming majority of the time. If there are two jobs, and a woman and a man each get one, statistics tel us that the man will be paid more, for the same work. bell hooks rocks! She is one of the remaining forces from the generation that brought you the push for the ERA and Civil Rights. We need more women who don't apologize. More young feminists not afraid of that word.

—Guest Anita

Women is a human being

She has got right to vote. She need freedom in decision making, i.e, adopting own language , education, Right to adoption if she is single also social attitude towards single widow or divorcee women shall change awareness and training programme shall be organised for the personality development and professional development encourage creativity domestic work must be countable special care of menopausal women.

—Guest Dr. Rehana Sultana

The laws are not enforced

We can make all the laws we can think of; there are many of them now that SHOULD have guaranteed our equality. They haven't worked because women's issues are not taken as seriously as men's, and particularly single women are discriminated against even more after they "blow the whistle." Although many inroads have been made, the environment is still hostile. Frankly, I can't understand why separate laws must be made for us. We're human beings -- that should cover it! Just the fact that it continues to be an issue is an admission of discrimination.

—Guest Janet

Race and Gender.

I read bell hooks' book called Feminist Theory and she discusses the idea of a woman being equal to man and criticizes it harshly and rightfully so. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a strong advocate of human rights and justice, but to say, "equal rights to men" totally leaves out the race card. For example, if a white women wanted "equal rights," she'd want equal rights of a white man. Now if a black woman wanted "equal rights," would her rights be compared to the rights of a black man or the privileged white man? Something to think about. And definitely go out and read bell hooks, Feminist Theory.

—Guest Nansi

Because.....

Women need their rights to be guaranteed by law because then, if they aren't, some guy will come and try to take them away from us. We need them to be solid and backed-up by law, so we don't get pushed around. We women need as much strength from the law as we can get.

—Guest catwithclaws777

...but wait a minute

When are women going to start recognizing each other "just 'cause?" It bewilders me how many women walk past me everyday and won't even make eye contact! let alone greet me! How are we going to demand anything of the world when we won't even acknowledge another sister who is in the struggle? Or who has survived the struggle?? We need to check ourselves...anyone who has been kicked in the ass by the world, by their employers OR employees, by their man, by their kids, the financial institutions, the car mechanics/house fixers, the church, your family, your doctors, your BEST FRIENDS...anyone who has been where only a woman can go is my sister. We should think about recognizing another woman, regardless of all the crappy, human prejudices that exist. Believe it or not, this subject was on my mind early this morning. Thank you for the time.

—callalillee

ERA today

How could we not have the era amendment passed in 2010? What is the problem?

—Guest dona zemo

I know and I reject America

I am a U.S. citizen. But I live and work overseas in a "communist" country that treats women and artists and teachers with respect and dignity in a way that America does not. I like to return when I can to see my parents and siblings and their families, but on the whole I do not miss the sexism in the workplace, and yes, I was sexually (verbally) harrassed as a teacher. Glad to have a secure job outside the states. The states needs to ratify this amendment for equal rights. What century are we living in? Mothers should be aided, not punished, for their roles in maintaining the fabric of society.

—Guest female artist