Term Project – Phyllis Schlafly Essay Example

in approximately 100 issues of her monthly newsletter, The Phyllis Schlafly Report. In the February 1972 version of "What's Wrong with 'Equal Rights' for Women?", Schlafly outlined the core principles that would guide the movement against the ERA, citing numerous reasons for her stance.

Phyllis Schlafly believed that the family provides women with the valuable and fundamental right to raise their own children with support and protection. She recognized the advantages of traditional family roles where men were responsible for supporting and safeguarding their wives and children. Besides highlighting the benefits of the existing setup, Schlafly argued that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) would not grant women any new privileges or rights since they already enjoyed constitutional rights and equal employment opportunities. According to her, the ERA only applies to government actions and not private actions, and therefore, it cannot ensure equal pay for equal work.

(Viguerie: 138) Viguerie argues that the implementation of ERA would lead to the forfeiture of rights and privileges. Women drafted into service would be compelled to engage in combat on equal footing with men, while forfeiting their entitlements to child support or alimony. Furthermore, ERA would confer substantial authority upon the federal government, enabling taxpayer funds to be utilized for constitutionally-enshrined rights such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

According to Schlafly, most women prefer to live traditionally and therefore, measures must be taken to recognize this fact. Although 30 states had already ratified the equal rights amendment by 1972, Schlafly's campaign resulted in only 35 states ratifying it. Her efforts to prevent additional ratification were commendable. Her speeches, books, radio broadcasts, and monthly newsletter proved instrumental in the failure of the amendment

to secure the necessary state support for ratification.

Phyllis Schlafly's book, Feminist Fantasies, explains why the ERA ended on June 30, 1982 after a decade. She argues that American women are not oppressed and presents her opinions on gender roles and whether women should have equal rights as men. Although she is in the minority, Schlafly's papers present a compelling argument.

Schlafly asserts that American women are the most privileged group with fewer duties and more rights compared to other classes. She draws a comparison between the United States and Africa. Schlafly also argues that families offer women complete physical, emotional, and financial security throughout their lifetime. Furthermore, she contends that America's technological advancements have helped reduce the workload for women.

The use of electricity allows women to operate labor-saving devices that eliminate the need for multiple servants and enable them to complete tasks more efficiently. Elias Howe's invention of the sewing machine led to an abundance of ready-made clothing, while Clarence Birdseye's food freezing technique is used for preserving food and reducing the frequency of grocery shopping. Henry Ford's mass production of automobiles enables Americans to travel and acquire essential items, whereas in other countries, women face obstacles in completing their daily chores due to limited resources and having to walk long distances to purchase perishable goods.

As per Schlafly, women in America have greater rights than those in other nations. Despite this, the time spent by females on household tasks has reduced, providing them with more leisure hours. Schlafly is notorious for expressing her opinions and opposing equal rights for women as she feels it would restrict their opportunities. She actively fought against the ERA by arranging

events, writing books, and amassing supporters.

Schlafly successfully eliminated the ERA by taking the necessary actions. Similar to her, I also attempt to overturn anything that could harm me and others. Although I may not go as far as she did, I share her determination in achieving my objective. Schlafly's persistence ultimately proved fruitful.

I aspire to imitate the perseverance demonstrated by Phyllis Schlafly, who exemplifies how persistence can accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. Her life story is worth discovering as she stands out from the typical woman, having tried and achieved something remarkable. Her success serves as a testament to the power of a single person in creating meaningful change.

For many years, she engaged in a challenging battle against the Equal Rights Movement, providing extensive justification through essays and books. Her efforts have had a profound effect on numerous individuals.