ABSTRACT
The issue of protective labor legislation for women has been at the center of many discussions of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. Advocates of the amend—ment have argued that protective legislation that applies only to women is discriminatory, that the effect of such laws is too often to restrictwomen's employment opportunities rather than to “pro—tect” them on the job. In contrast, opponents of the amendment often take the position that it will fly in the face of a century—long struggle for the protection of women workers by eliminating labor laws that are necessary and beneficial. 1
