Brоchure оn the Equаl Rights Amendment (1970s) Sоurce: Historicаl Society of Pennsylvаnia: “Brochure on the Equal Rights Amendment (1970s).” Reprinted by permission of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Did You Know . . . • Under the U.S. Constitution corporations are considered legal persons, but women are not • Women earn on an average 41% less than men • A man with an 8th grade education earns as much as a woman with a college degree • Women and men do not receive the same benefits under Social Security, although they contribute the same percentage of their income • “Equal pay for Equal Work” is based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which can be reversed by Congress • If a man dies, his widow pays a large tax; if a woman dies her widower pays substantially less • A husband controls his wife’s use of “his” credit cards; a wife cannot establish credit in her name • Insurance rates are higher for women than for men; loans for house payments, etc. are more difficult for women to obtain than men • The military has higher entrance requirements for women, but significantly fewer benefits and opportunities • During probate, a joint bank account is considered to be solely the property of the husband • Women receive longer jail sentences than men for the same crime • Unemployment is twice as high for women as for men • There are over 1,795 laws which discriminate against women The ERA Will . . . • Declare women full persons under the law • Outlaw discrimination on the basis of sex, establishing constitutionally the legal right of “equal pay for equal work” • Provide equal Social Security benefits for women and men at the same retirement age; widowers will receive the same benefits now only received by widows • Recognize a housewife’s contribution as a financial resource to the home by not taxing her half of the estate when her husband dies • Give married women the right to establish credit, own businesses, buy and control property, and sign contracts • Equalize military entrance standards; make military women eligible for equal benefits and opportunities • Extend alimony and child support responsibilities to members of either sex, depending on need and ability to pay • Establish equal rights for both parties holding joint husband/ wife bank accounts during probate • Mandate “equal time for equal crime” • Strike down laws which restrict rights. If a law protects rights, it will be extended to the other sex PROMPT How does this document challenge traditional gender roles, especially around housework and money, and what is one short quote that shows this?