Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which scenario illustrates a violation of the Equal Protection Clause?

1. A law provides tax benefits for single parents

2. A state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men than for women

3. A city ordinance prioritizes local businesses

4. Only citizens can vote

The correct answer is: A state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men than for women

The scenario that illustrates a violation of the Equal Protection Clause is the one where a state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men than for women. The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment mandates that individuals in similar situations must be treated equally under the law. This means that laws must not discriminate based on gender or any other protected characteristic. When a law sets different wage standards based solely on gender, it not only perpetuates inequality but also denies women equal protection under the law. This kind of differential treatment fails to meet the constitutional standard established by the Equal Protection Clause, which seeks to prevent discrimination and ensure fair treatment for all individuals regardless of gender. In contrast, the other scenarios do not inherently violate the Equal Protection Clause because they do not involve a discriminatory practice based on a protected characteristic. For example, providing tax benefits for single parents recognizes a specific family structure without unfairly disadvantaging others, a higher minimum wage for men compared to women creates a discriminatory environment and is not aligned with equal protection. Prioritizing local businesses may reflect a specific economic strategy without targeting groups unequally, and a rule that only citizens can vote aligns with laws regarding voting rights without discrimination against specific individuals.