Women, 1973-80: How Far Had Lives Improved

Question 1

Abortion

Context

Answer 1

Pre 1973 - Crime in 30 states, legal in certain cases in 20
1967 - Colorado first state to allow in cases of rape, incest, threat to health
By 1960s, college students could have abortions from sympathetic doctors,** poor women lacked** this access

Question 2

Abortion

Roe v Wade

Answer 2

Roe v Wade (1973)
Supreme Court legalised abortion in first 13 weeks and argued women had a constitutional right to privacy
By 1977, 1.7 million legal abortions

Question 3

Abortion

Opposition to Roe v Wade

Answer 3

Led to political backlash by conservative groups - growth in ‘new right’
Organisations like National Right to Life Committee (1967, Catholic Church) opposed in court, elections, the streets
Mobilised social conservatism that elected Reagan

Question 4

Work

Attitudes

Answer 4

Over 2/3 female college students agreed women’s domestic role was ‘nonsense’
1960 - 38% women over 16 worked, 1970 - 43%, 1980 - 52%
Most male-only colleges opened to women in 1970s/80s

Question 5

Work

Economic Inequality

Answer 5

Despite Equal Pay Act (1963), professional women recieved 73% of what was paid to men
66% of adults classified as ‘poor’ were women

Question 6

Work

Equal Rights Amendment

Answer 6

Passed Congress in 1972, failed to gain 3/4 state support for ratification
Phylis Schlafly spearheaded opposition (Stop ERA, 1972, 50,000 members)

Question 7

Work

National Women’s Conference

Answer 7

1978
20,000 feminists in Houston, Texas
Counter-rally drew 8,000 supporters

Question 8

Work

Beverly LaHaye

Answer 8

1979, est Concerned Women for America to fight ERA + abortion
Had 500,000 members by mid 1980s
Wanted women to stay home, look after family,not deprive men of employment