Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I mentioned I'd be discussing how to show women the strengths of limited government and economic liberty. The Independent Women's Forum event was last night and it was really interesting. The most important thing to note is that I got to meet Barkha Herman in the flesh! (Her write-up of the event is here.)
Karlyn Bowman began our discussion with all the depressing data about how women are much more likely to support a big role for government. There has always been a gender gap in voting preferences, but it's becoming much more dramatic. And there are just interesting gender gaps in general. My absolute favorite stat was that if you ask people if they want to ride on the space shuttle, the vast majority of men say "yes, please" while the vast majority of women decline. She had a glimmer of good news for people who support Republican candidates, saying that the 2014 election should show some gains on account of 2012 being a wake-up call and because the electorates in mid-term elections are more favorable to Republicans.
Veronique de Rugy reminded us that while Republicans might be less hostile than Democrats to the ideas of liberty, they're aren't exactly the ideal vessels for them. She pointed out how much of the crises our government faces will hurt women (e.g. by a large margin, most recipients of Social Security are of the female variety).
We've had many conversations about Jonathan Haidt's book The Righteous Mind, and I brought up his point about morality binding us together but blinding us to the moral motivations of others. Those of us who already care about a limited government are convinced of the worthiness of the cause. But how do we reach out to others who are motivated less by fairness and more by compassion and security? We need to earnestly listen to the arguments of others, see the value in these arguments, and make the case in concert with their moral reasoning. Which is basically Arthur Brooks' point in The Road To Freedom. I also pointed out that the marriage gap is much larger than the gender gap and it's getting worse. While we might want to focus on political technology, the real problems we face are much larger cultural issues that require hard work.
Sabrina Schaeffer had many good points, including "If You've Got It, Flaunt It." The Republican Party has many fantastic female messengers at the national, state, and local levels. Bowman had joked that she wanted to see Cathy McMorris Rodgers glued to the hip of every John Boehner presser. Schaeffer pointed out that because the GOP doesn't really get into gender politics, they forget to do obvious things like point out that one of the House's leaders is a female Republican.
Anyway, I figure we solved the gender gap. Just kidding. It was a somewhat sobering evening to realize how much work there is to do. But it was nice to see a huge turnout of people interested in this topic and how to address it.
I even find it interesting here at Ricochet. I don't have a running tally of which members are male or female (or pretending to be!) but I think it's fair to say most members are male. Part of that, undoubtedly, is that women report less interest in political topics than men do. But I wonder if there's anything else. Are we too space shuttle-y?
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Comments:
Jul '10
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I don't know, Mollie. I am constantly surprised at who turns out to be female here on Ricochet. The comments are not "male" or "female". The thinking is, to my mind, no different male to female.
But perhaps I'm a bit abnormal myself. I work in a mostly female environment, and spent military time in units with high percentages of females. So I have become accustomed to simply seeing people as people, not as gender issues.
May '10
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I have long felt that the Republicans make a large error in simply dismissing the Sandra Fluke/Lena Dunham crowd.
Without diminishing the moral implications of abortion on demand and the negative repercussions to society of greater sexual freedom, the right should acknowledge the gains that birth control has afforded women. The argument that birth control has leveled the playing field and permitted women greater control over their lives, including workplace gains is legitimate. And to simply counter that they have always had the freedom to abstain from sex reflects not only a stark double standard, but is grossly ineffective.
The right needs to reassure unmarried women that no one wants to relegate them to the kitchen or retract the social gains that have been facilitated by contraception. And that opposing abortion, or opposing mandated free contraception does not represent a hidden agenda to restore 1950's gender norms.
This seems so obvious -- but it's really not. It needs to be said forcefully, persuasively, and repeatedly.
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I'd recommend that you invite notable Progressive (feminists, environmentalists, immigration advocates, pro-choicers, etc.) in to the Ricochet 'Octogon' for some civil back & forth. Have them on a podcast - have a women's podcast, make a little news that can get picked up in other venues (friendly and non-friendly to conservatives).
Step in to their 'Ring' as well Mollie - I'm confident you'd do our side proud.
In making the case to women, I'd emphasize the 'value and choice' concepts to government as women look for value in so many aspects of daily life: groceries, clothes, insurance, and other services. Consider what 'one-size fits all' means in clothing and relate that to so many government programs & policies. Women take a huge role in household budgets, paying too much for ineffective & overpriced programs (schools) eventually places them & society at greater long-term risk.
Sep '12
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I have noticed that, even conservative women tend to be less "freedom and liberty" than their male compatriots. I have no numbers, just a feeling, but it seems to me that female conservatives tend to be more at that social conservative end of the scale and less at the libertarian end.
Obviously this is not a universal quality, but broadly speaking, even within conservative circles, women seem entirely more preoccupied with controlling other peoples activities than men.
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Are women simply more risk averse?
The advantage of letting government make decisions versus individuals making them for themselves is the (mostly illusory) premise that government is more risk averse, and more secure.
We're just coming off a period in which it is widely believed (rightly or wrongly) that the economy crashed because individuals and established institutions (i.e., banks) took risks that they shouldn't have. Having been burned by risk-taking, it's understandable that many want to avoid risk as much as possible. That manifests itself in a number of ways:
What I see, all around these days, is how the uncertainty of life affects how society behaves - and how different people respond differently to uncertainty. I've been interested for a long time in the study of knowledge, and the study of risk is closely aligned to it (how to proceed when you don't know?).
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Trace: I have long felt that the Republicans make a large error in simply dismissing the Sandra Fluke/Lena Dunham crowd.
Without diminishing the moral implications of abortion on demand and the negative repercussions to society of greater sexual freedom, the right should acknowledge the gains that birth control has afforded women. The argument that birth control has leveled the playing field and permitted women greater control over their lives, including workplace gains is legitimate. And to simply counter that they have always had the freedom to abstain from sex reflects not only a stark double standard, but is grossly ineffective.
Yes, I've had to think deeply about everything from the out-of-the-blue Stephanopolous question on birth control at an early Republican debate on down to Fluke and Dunham. If you want to show the error in a particular way of thinking, you must first understand it. And I find it difficult, but helpful, to put the best construction on another's arguments while doing it.
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Trace:
The right needs to reassure unmarried women that no one wants to relegate them to the kitchen or retract the social gains that have been facilitated by contraception. And that opposing abortion, or opposing mandated free contraception does not represent a hidden agenda to restore 1950's gender norms.
It pays to consider, then, that conservatives aren't demanding that women go back to Ozzie & Harriet roles.
Conservatives aren't saying that - - but liberals (especially the media) are saying it. They're assuring women that this is what conservatives want. The idea that conservatives want to oppress women is a fiction perpetuated by liberals. It isn't the reality. So, rather than plead for forgiveness from women, far more honest to simply label that lie for what it is. A lie.
Just a side note - look at Ricochet. Women here fight just as strong as men, and judging by my own, completely subjective perspective, I don't think any of the men mind.
Jul '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
KC Mulville
It pays to consider, then, that conservatives aren't demanding that women go back to Ozzie & Harriet roles.
Conservativesaren'tsaying that - - but liberals (especially the media)aresaying it. They're assuring women that this is what conservatives want. The idea that conservatives want to oppress women is a fiction perpetuated by liberals. It isn't the reality. So, rather than plead for forgiveness from women, far more honest to simply label that lie for what it is. A lie.
Just a side note - look at Ricochet. Women here fight just as strong as men, and judging by my own, completely subjective perspective, I don't think any of the men mind. · 6 minutes ago
Yes, however there is a gender gap at Ricochet - more men than women.
May '10
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Mollie is trying to be effective. I think your strategy, while satisfying perhaps, is ineffective. I think you need to acknowledge that whether the slur is unfair or not is beside the point -- it is believed. And you have to take it seriously and address is directly.
Part of the problem is that the left is unconflicted on the subject of sexual liberty while the right is conflicted, which leads to perpetual mixed and garbled messages. Moreover, I think there is legitimate suspicion that the right still harbors a double-standard on the issue. To my knowledge, Rush Limbaugh has never called a young man a slut.
KC Mulville
It pays to consider, then, that conservatives aren't demanding that women go back to Ozzie & Harriet roles.
Conservativesaren'tsaying that - - but liberals (especially the media)aresaying it. They're assuring women that this is what conservatives want. The idea that conservatives want to oppress women is a fiction perpetuated by liberals. It isn't the reality. So, rather than plead for forgiveness from women, far more honest to simply label that lie for what it is. A lie.
Jun '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
The challenge with SS and Medicare is that these programs weren't sold as an either/or. They appeal to fairness (one accumulates "earning work credits" you see in a yearly statement) and to security/compassion (old age health, disability, widow, orphan benefits). Insidious.
Of course, the reason that most recipients of SS are female is that women tend to live longer. Not sure whether that's a feature or a bug.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: Veronique de Rugy ... pointed out how much of the crises our government faces will hurt women (e.g. by a large margin, most recipients of Social Security are of the female variety).
[snip] Those of us who already care about a limited government are convinced of the worthiness of the cause. But how do we reach out to others who are motivated less by fairness and more by compassion and security?
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Trace: I think your strategy, while satisfying perhaps, is ineffective.
[...]
Part of the problem is that the left is unconflicted on the subject of sexual liberty while the right is conflicted
To be fair, acknowledging that the Left labels conservatives for their own benefit wasn't a "strategy."
But I would like to hear more from you on the notion that the Right is "conflicted" about sexual liberty. Exactly what do you mean?
May '10
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Yes, I've had to think deeply about everything from the out-of-the-blue Stephanopolous question on birth control at an early Republican debate on down to Fluke and Dunham. If you want to show the error in a particular way of thinking, you must first understand it. And I find it difficult, but helpful, to put the best construction on another's arguments while doing it. · 40 minutes ago
As you might guess, I'm not as conflicted on this issue as I suspect you are Mollie, but as a father I am thrilled to see examples of strong, successful, independent young women who are iconoclastic because of their choice to abstain from pre-marital sex. They should be celebrated:
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Trace
As you might guess, I'm not as conflicted on this issue as I suspect you are Mollie, but as a father I am thrilled to see examples of strong, successful, independent young women who are iconoclastic because of their choice to abstain from pre-marital sex. They should be celebrated: · 3 minutes ago
Oh I am anything but conflicted on this topic. And I have always had friends with extremely different views than mine. This particular election was weird in a way I don't quite understand but that I don't think anyone quite understands. I'm going to have a post tomorrow on what a savvy reporter told me last night about one small aspect of that (how birth control got brought up in the weirdest way in that one debate). It was fascinating to me and a cautionary tale for Republicans.
Jun '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Out-of-the-blue to whom? IMO, the Boy Wonder's question shows that our opponents believe what we are loathe to admit. That many on side only know their positions by rote (a la Todd Akin). If you're going to expect a woman bear a child conceived in a rape you better be able to explain yourself.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Yes, I've had to think deeply about everything from the out-of-the-blue Stephanopolous question on birth control at an early Republican debate on down to Fluke and Dunham. If you want to show the error in a particular way of thinking, you must first understand it. And I find it difficult, but helpful, to put the best construction on another's arguments while doing it. · 38 minutes ago
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Thisparticularelection was weird in a way I don't quite understand but that I don't think anyone quite understands. I'm going to have a post tomorrow on what a savvy reporter told me last night about one small aspect of that (how birth control got brought up in the weirdest way in that one debate). It was fascinating to me and a cautionary tale for Republicans.
Color me intrigued.
May '10
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I think the Libertarian side of party is fine with pre-marital sex and the social conservative end of the spectrum is generally troubled by it. While we might all agree that ever loosening sexual mores in the culture has encouraged sex at younger ages with some grave societal ills as a result, I believe there is some disagreement about relative costs and benefits. Some see the positives -- social mobility, equality... fairness as important. While others, if they even concede these benefits, likely consider them underwhelming relative to the costs. I think young women sense this ambivalence on the right and mistrust it. It's hard to vote for a party that you believe thinks you are immoral.
KC Mulville
Trace: I think your strategy, while satisfying perhaps, is ineffective.
[...]
Part of the problem is that the left is unconflicted on the subject of sexual liberty while the right is conflicted
To be fair, acknowledging that the Left labels conservatives for their own benefit wasn't a "strategy."
But I would like to hear more from you on the notion that the Right is "conflicted" about sexual liberty. Exactly what do you mean? · 3 minutes ago
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
I wasn't surprised either, given Santorum's statement to Caffeinated Thoughts a few weeks earlier that he was keen to lecture Americans about the dangers of contraception, should he be elected president.
Someone must have come across that and realized that it would be a delightfully easy way both to entrap Santorum and to make the other Republican candidates squirm on camera. A cheap trick, but a wholly legitimate one.
Edited on January 17, 2013 at 6:25pmSep '10
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
There is a deep idea contained in those few sentences that bears repeating. If you haven't done your moral philosophy homework, you can't be a good candidate.
Oct '12
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
I even find it interesting here at Ricochet. I don't have a running tally of which members are male or female (or pretending to be!) but I think it's fair to say most members are male. Part of that, undoubtedly, is that women report less interest in political topics than men do. But I wonder if there's anything else.
It is a bit odd that Ricochet's default thumbnail picture is male when nearly every other default avatar on the internet is either gender-ambiguous or a binary, choose-your-own gender choice.
(Note: I swear I'm not trying to be the PC-police, I just wanted to point out an uncommon decision in terms of standard web design practices on the part of the programmers/designers of the site.)
Jan '11
Re: Women In The Wilderness: Problem Solved
Well, a couple responses.
The notion that conservatives are trying to force women back into a subservient role is, indeed, a lie. But that's a heck of a lot different from saying we should happily embrace the New Morality where all sex is fine. It isn't a binary choice between (oppression) versus (sexual free-for-all).
It would be insulting to say that young women can't or won't make that distinction, and that any promotion of sexual morality must be interpreted as oppression; or that it's ultra-freedom or nothing. That's not "ambivalence." That's just adults making important distinctions.
And, as my previous comment suggested, liberals deliberately blur those distinctions all the time, precisely to pander to their likely voters.
I'm also completely unwilling to treat young people as a fixed, static group. Kids grow up. (After all, we did.) And the attitudes and moral perspectives of young people change as they grow older. No need to sell out to youth, is there?