stu3@mhuxh.UUCP (Systems Training Dept) (09/20/84)
<--->
There are two basic reasons why I oppose the ERA even though I feel
I am in favor of women's rights:
1) I feel that it is unnecessary; given all of the laws that we
have now. As far as that goes, I am not in favor of what I consider
to be redundancy; there is enough of it in this country as it is.
I also feel that the ERA would have little effect, for example, in
the workplace. Much of the discrimination that goes on there now is
already forbidden by law, including the sexual harassment, etc. It still
goes on. I feel that education is more important than passing yet
another law. Changing people's attitudes through education is the
way to go towards bringing about a permanent change in the attitudes
of society as a whole.
2) I feel that the ERA is far too general in scope. Does it mean
that we will now have unisex public restrooms, women fighting in
combat, and no single-sex groups or clubs? (Note: I feel that it
is just as important for a person to have support groups composed
completely of people from the same sex as it is to have support
groups comprised of people from both sexes). This also brings up a
problem between what the ERA might mean and the values of people
derived from their religion or culture. What is the solution there?
As Americans we are taught to have respect for religious and
cultural differences; does this mean that discrimination in the name
of religion or culture should be condoned? If the ERA were ever passed,
all of these issues would have to be ironed out; the conflicts are
considerable and would not necessarily have to be faced if the
alternative is chosen.
Since I will probably be asked to submit justification why I
consider myself to be for women's rights, I may as well do so now.
I am not really sure what is expected of me, though. I could say that
I oppose banning Federal abortion assistance (I DO think that some
controls should be set on the program to help educate people on
birth control methods and to provide counselling and support for all
involved.) I am for voluntary sex education in schools (if you do
not want it, fine. I think that is a mistake, but it is also your
affair [pun intended].) I am for equal pay for equal work.
I am NOT for equal pay for "comparable" work; I reject the notion that someone else can
fairly decide how comparable two jobs are. Which is more important:
the ability to communicate well with people or the ability to solve
differential equations? Personally, I think a job should be paid
according to how many people want to do it: lots of people wouldn't
mind the prestige of being a company president, so that would pay
low, while a garbageman (pardon me, sanitation engineer) would be a
fairly high paying job. Let me just say that I extend this to quota
systems: I do not support quota systems with respect to race, sex,
etc. on any basis-- two wrongs do not make a right. Merit is by far
a better way to hire and fire and promote people.
As for the rest:???
All I can say is I try to treat people equally until they do something
that causes me to change the way I feel about them...I'm rambling
again. Anyway, those are my reasons for opposing the ERA.
Responses to the net or to my mail address below. (DO NOT 'r' to
this article). Flames welcome, though I vastly
prefer intelligent discussion.
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"Scotty, get those shields up!"
Mark Modig
..ihnp4!btlunix!mom