A Content Analysis of the Equal Rights Amendment

Author

Ashley Smith, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Date of Graduation

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Sociology and Criminology

Advisor/Mentor

Barnum, Justin

Committee Member

Holyfield, Lori

Second Committee Member

Shelton, Gina

Third Committee Member

Stauss, Kim

Abstract

The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced to Congress in 1923, passed through both houses of Congress in 1972, but failed to be ratified by the number of states necessary to become a Constitutional amendment. There are numerous social, political, and economic factors that have contributed to the successes and failures of the ERA over the years, but little research has been done to determine how these individual instances influence one another long term. Utilizing the qualitative method of path dependency and research rooted in feminist theory, I examine the timeline of the ERA as it fits within the greater feminism timeline. Though each stage of the movement may seem independent, they all build upon one another. Based on the events of each era, the Equal Rights Amendment has been most successful amidst the rise of social movements, prominent feminist literature, increasing numbers of women in federal and state government office, and increasing numbers of women in the workforce. The comparison across time speaks to the future of the amendment as well. Given the current status of the ERA and the presence of these common factors, the amendment could see its ultimate success in the near future.

Keywords

Equal Rights Amendment; feminist theory; social movements; feminist movement

Citation

Smith, A. (2022). A Content Analysis of the Equal Rights Amendment. Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/sociuht/6