Equal Means Equal: Why the Time for an Equal Rights Amendment Is Now

by Jessica Neuwirth, Gloria Steinem (Introduction)

When the Equal Rights Amendment was first passed by Congress in 1972, Richard Nixon was president and All in the Family's Archie Bunker was telling his feisty wife Edith to stifle it. Over the course of the next ten years, an initial wave of enthusiasm led to ratification of the ERA by thirty-five states, just three short of the thirty-eight states needed by the 1982 deadline. Many of the arguments against the ERA that historically stood in the way of ratification have gone the way of bouffant hairdos and Bobby Riggs, and a new Coalition for the ERA was recently set up to bring the experience and wisdom of old-guard activists together with the energy and social media skills of a new-guard generation of women.In a series of short, accessible chapters looking at several key areas of sex discrimination recognized by the Supreme Court, Equal Means Equal tells the story of the legal cases that inform the need for an ERA, along with contemporary cases in which women's rights are compromised without the protection of an ERA. Covering topics ranging from pay equity and pregnancy discrimination to violence against women, Equal Means Equal makes abundantly clear that an ERA will improve the lives of real women living in America.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Politics, Womens, History

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2014

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most likely, if this is on your to-read list, you know the gist of this argument. Most of these arguments will make you mad at the absurdity in how these courts decided specific issues; at how easily the words of law and justice are twisted out of context, in to context, or completely disregarded. Arbitrarily.

The Equal Rights Amendment can help all the people. We The People.

Bottom line: Women need Constitutionally guaranteed protection and recourse for the unfair laws and regulations that are interpreted against our best interests because we are women.
Because of our sex, our gender, our social prejudices, our economic standing in relation to men. Our lesser access to opportunities and pay lead to long-term detriment for our selves and our families.

No. We don't already have that.

Modern update: the New ERA explicitly includes the word "women" yet the actual amendment is gender neutral. I think it's good foresight, but we can leave that to the lawyers and judges:

"Women shall have equal rights in the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

Hey, equal means equal.

What's wrong with that? Sounds good to me. Come on, America, I still love you.

This is a short read, and quite a bit of space is given to introductions, references, extra reading information, and the U.N.'s CEDAW --which I highly recommend everyone read through anyways and wonder at why our great nation is one of the very few that has yet to ratify and implement it. Put your brain through the exercise of understanding too much legal jargon and read this. It's worth our time.

[Emily]

Because of this books (understandable) focus on constitutional law and SCOTUS cases I wish I had read it while taking constitutional law in college and writing my term paper on the ERA. I learned about Gonzales v Castle Rock for the first time in my life, despite going to high school in Castle Rock shortly after the Supreme Court case was litigated, and was incandescent with rage. I still firmly believe that the ERA should be fully ratified, but I wish the author had looked at the limits of constitutional law in establishing and preserving equal rights and dignity (considering the failures of the 13th/14th/15th amendments to fully protect the rights of Black people in America under the law and in the courts).

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the read to get more details but it’s mostly court cases and lots of legal language, which for the purpose of this book is relevant.

[Brad Lucht · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, using decisions issued by the Supreme Court to buttress her case, makes a strong argument that the Equal Rights amendment needs to be passed. In particular, she demonstrates how the 14th amendment has been twisted by the court so that it only applies to State actions, not to private discrimination. Which is ironic, because the Court has ruled repeatedly that the 13th amendment *does* apply to private actions.

I also found it interesting that it was the Republican party that first addressed this issue, favorably, in their presidential platform in the 1940 election. In fact, it wasn't until 1980, under the leadership of Ronald Reagan, that the Republican party began to oppose equal rights. It has done so ever since.

It seems remarkable to me that not a single 2016 presidential candidate has addressed this issue.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information on why we need the Equal Rights Amendment and how the existing laws fall short of protecting women from violence and inequality in the workplace. Explains where the ERA stands now, provides websites for further information and action, and clearly states the need for this long-awaited amendment.
The examples of how some women have suffered because of loopholes in our laws are horrific; they should be a wake-up call for all of us.

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I knew a bit about the history of the ERA, reading this book made me realize I truly did not understand just how necessary it is in our fight for equality. I did not understand just how much the existing laws fall short in dealing with sexism, discrimination, and gender-based violence. Neuwirth really opened my eyes and helped me more fully understand how the ERA will impact our legal system and our society.

[Alaina Latourette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides good examples and compelling legal arguments as to why we need an Equal Rights Amendment; illustrating how an ERA could provide Constitutional protection when seeking justice for gender discrimination, pay inequity, pregnancy discrimination and violence against women...a must have reference for activists promoting gender equality.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about getting the Equal Rights amendment passed. I am strong supporter of this as women should be treated as equals and make the same money for the same job. We are not second class citizens.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is embarrassing that men and women are not seen as equal under the eyes of the government and the law. We have to pass the ERA now.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important current arguments for getting an equal rights amendment in the constitution for women.

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nicely succinct laying-out of the primary reasons why we need the ERA. Neuwrith presents a chapter each on a number of common legal issues concerning gender, explains why current laws do not provide protection on each one, and why the ERA might provide the necessary assurance of justice and equality. It's very persuasive and a much-needed rebuttal to those who think women already enjoy equality (they don't). That said, I had a hard time reading this book because it is packed with legalese. There were many times I had trouble following her argument and common words that I don't encounter everyday ("Jurisprudence" for example, is a word that I know is used all the time in the legal field but I rarely use it and always had to stop to remind myself what it meant). I understand perfectly why Neuwirth uses this, and it's necessary, I suppose, for what Neuwirth is arguing, but the result was that this book was often opaque to me. I wish this book could c0-exist with a book written for the general public in layman's terms that makes the same compelling arguments for those without a legal background. Still, I followed enough to be able to make the case to anyone who asks me "Do you think we really need the ERA?" Yes, we do. We definitely do.

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal Means Equal: Why the Time for an Equal Rights Amendment is Now by Jessica Neuwirth examines the history of the Equal Rights Amendment, why it's necessary, and several common myths regarding the U. S. Constitution and the Equal Rights Amendment including the arguments made for and against and the struggle for ratification. Neuwirth offers examples of the cases that have been brought before the cours and have been decided that highlight repeatedly that the U. S. Constitution does not protect women the same as it does men. She makes her argument with facts and quotes from court cases that demonstrate how the judicial system consistently determines that the U. S. Constitution and the amendments to the U. S. Constitution don't apply to women. She explains why and how the Equal Rights Amendment would add women to the U. S. Constitution giving women constitutionally protected equal rights. Equal Means Equal is a short, engaging, easy to read book that demonstrates that asking for equality isn't asking for special treatment but for the right to participate in society as equal partners.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book educates us first to the fact that the ERA has still not been ratified by 2/3 of states and that America is one of only 7 countries in the entire world with a Constitution that does not explicitly state that men and women are equal. Fortunately, there are only 3 more states needed and ERA proponents are hopeful that there are quite a few states likely to finally pass it. Each chapter covers a different aspect to how women are currently treated legally and how courts all the way to the Supreme Court have considered employers' demands over basic human rights for women to be of more importance. In fact, I was ashamed of their reasonings since I had expected much better and more compassionate decisions in these cases even though until recently all justices and judges have been men. The topics are: pay inequity, pregnancy discrimination, violence against women, and discriminatory laws in general, and the author points out the advantages to men as well as women in these areas when an equal rights amendment is added to our constitution. I highly recommend this book.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the need for the ERA and a case law sans citations approach for anyone who wants to understand why the 14th amendment isn’t sufficient. But a little dry, a little preachy at points, and sort of narrow in scope - definitely reads as a bit more second wave feminist, as doesn’t really make the case intersectionally. But a thin volume so if you aren’t already aware of these issues, a good starter book but didn’t really add anything except serving as an overview.

[Turning Paiges · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my Politics of Race, Class, and Gender class. It was very insightful and well written. I appreciated that legal aspect of it was relatively straightforward and easy to understand. The cases mentioned were emotional and did a good job of making me infuriated by the patriarchy. Overall great but I wish it included more gender inclusive arguments and I also think it could’ve benefited by including more dialogue on intersectionality.

[Carol Bonigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important subject. I’m glad I read it. Gave me a deeper understanding and an idea through specific cases where the ERA would have helped women. Along with a history of the ERA, why it hasn’t been ratified so far, and the work that needs to be done.

[Meghan Tschanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

good information, pretty hard to digest due to the legalese

[TPLL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading in every classroom in the nation. This is the History our children and their children need to soak in.

[Bobbi Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book everyone should read. You'll learn a tremendous amount about the struggle to protect women's rights, just as the law protects men. You'll perhaps be surprised and shocked to find out that the Constitution doesn't give women equal rights, and even the laws that have been passed to do so have mostly been ineffective due to the courts' rulings. In the 1970s an Equal Rights Amendment was passed, but was 3 states short of ratification. The period allotted for ratification expired, and here we are in 2019 still without an ERA. This is a good, short read--clear and concise--but a little dry. Once you read it, you'll see why we need to join most of the rest of the world and pass an Equal Rights Amendment, which will help women and men alike!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of legal cases involving women's rights. She makes the case for an Equal Rights Amendment. Women have fewer rights than other groups such as African Americans and and LGBT's.

[Julie Botnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense but otherwise highly recommended! She uses case law to make the argument that equal treatment does not mean equality, and that the ERA is necessary to combat the systematic injustice women face as workers, mothers, partners, and leaders. It also details how trial outcomes have led to bandaid legislation that recognizes the holes in our Constitution as a result of the non-recognition of sex and gender in the entire body of work. We need the ERA now, and if you don't agree, you haven't read this book yet!

[Bonney Freeman Hughes]

Well-presented analysis of legal cases demonstrating the continued need for the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, which would ensure equal rights for women and men). Legal cases to this point under the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act have failed to secure equal rights for women; in fact they've done more to enshrine discrimination than to promote equal rights. See www.eracoalition.org.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman in America should read this book.
Neuwirth cites real life examples of inequalities that women have suffered.
While there is a lot of legal-speak, she summarizes well and makes a strong case
for passing the Equal Rights Amendment.

[Literary Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very revealing. But very dry reading - court case after court case, lots of legalese. Still gave me nightmares (literally) and made me furious. The US simply has to make equal rights a part of our Constitution; it's unthinkable that it's taken this long.

[Nissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important book to read to see the current arguments for the equal rights amendment.