Opposition to the Women's Liberation Movement
The Women’s Liberation Movement was criticized because it was perceived as a movement that depicts that the role of women in the family, as a housewife, was one of the causes of the oppression. Oppositions of the movement portray women liberationists as selfish, aggressive, and solely motivated by their desire to revolutionize society only the way they wish. Surprisingly, criticism of the Women’s Liberation Movement was not solely from men; young women questioned the movement even though they demanded equality with men. Other opponents claimed the success of the Women’s Liberation Movement disadvantaged men. In the 1970s, Phyllis Schlafly's website now identifies her as "America's best-known advocate of the dignity and honor that we as a society owe to the role of fulltime homemaker." The mother of six children was the "Illinois Mother of the Year" in 1992. Phyllis Schlafly is a conservative activist best known for her opposition to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1970s. Her work is widely recognized as a key reason the Equal Rights Amendment, approved by Congress in 1972, was never ratified.
In 1972, Schlafly's article, "What's Wrong with 'Equal Rights' for Women," launched her campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment. She argued that the Equal Rights Amendment would force women into the military, jeopardize benefits under Social Security, and weaken existing legal protections under divorce and marriage laws. She stated that American women enjoyed "the most rights and rewards, and the fewest duties." In September 1972, Schlafly formed STOP ERA, a nationwide organization dedicated to preventing ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Eagle Forum as an alternative. She became successful in convincing women, in particular, that the ERA was the cover for a more radical assault on marriage and family. A poll released toward the end of the ratification battle revealed that only 47% of American women, as opposed to 55% of American men, supported ratification of the ERA.
"Phyllis Schlafly in Women's Movements." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/womens-movements/phyllis-schlafly.html>.
Hanisch, Carol. "On The Issues Magazine The Progressive Woman's Magazine Winter 2011: Women's Liberation: Looking Back, Looking Forward by Carol Hanisch."On The Issues Magazine The Progressive Woman's Magazine Winter 2011: Women's Liberation: Looking Back, Looking Forward by Carol Hanisch. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/2011winter/2011_winter_Hanisch.php>.
Srivastava, Arnesh, and Dharmaraj Krishanthan. "Opposition Groups of Women's Liberation." Wikidot. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2012.
In 1972, Schlafly's article, "What's Wrong with 'Equal Rights' for Women," launched her campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment. She argued that the Equal Rights Amendment would force women into the military, jeopardize benefits under Social Security, and weaken existing legal protections under divorce and marriage laws. She stated that American women enjoyed "the most rights and rewards, and the fewest duties." In September 1972, Schlafly formed STOP ERA, a nationwide organization dedicated to preventing ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Eagle Forum as an alternative. She became successful in convincing women, in particular, that the ERA was the cover for a more radical assault on marriage and family. A poll released toward the end of the ratification battle revealed that only 47% of American women, as opposed to 55% of American men, supported ratification of the ERA.
"Phyllis Schlafly in Women's Movements." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/womens-movements/phyllis-schlafly.html>.
Hanisch, Carol. "On The Issues Magazine The Progressive Woman's Magazine Winter 2011: Women's Liberation: Looking Back, Looking Forward by Carol Hanisch."On The Issues Magazine The Progressive Woman's Magazine Winter 2011: Women's Liberation: Looking Back, Looking Forward by Carol Hanisch. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2012. <http://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/2011winter/2011_winter_Hanisch.php>.
Srivastava, Arnesh, and Dharmaraj Krishanthan. "Opposition Groups of Women's Liberation." Wikidot. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2012.