What was one consequence of the backlash against the Equal Rights Amendment?

The backlash against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) had significant implications for its ratification process. The ERA was initially proposed to ensure equal rights under the law, regardless of sex, but a prominent campaign, led by figures such as Phyllis Schlafly, mobilized substantial opposition. This campaign argued that the amendment would disrupt traditional family structures and lead to negative societal changes. As a result, many states that were initially favorable to the ERA began to reconsider their support.

Consequently, the amendment was unable to secure the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratifications before the deadline set for its approval. Ultimately, this failure to reach the required number of ratifications marked a significant moment in the women’s rights movement, indicating that while there was substantial support for gender equality, the political landscape at the time was deeply divided on how to achieve it. This consequence is key to understanding the broader context of gender equality efforts in the late 20th century and the complexities that surrounded them.