A Warning to Conservatives on Roles for Women – The American Spectator | USA News and PoliticsThe American Spectator

Last week, one of the most popular female voices in media sent a warning to the conservative movement: Be careful about sending the wrong message to young women. In an episode of her podcast, conservative-leaning Megyn Kelly asked her guest Ana Kasparian, another highly influential media personality from the left side of the aisle, “How did we get to the point where we’re now telling young, conservative, amazing women that they’re not attractive if they also work? If they choose to, let’s say, do what I’m doing and get their voice out there?” 

Kelly continued, “Why would we take somebody who’s talented … and really wants to make a difference and have the messaging to her be ‘you’re really not that valuable unless you give it up and go into the home and only have a family?’” 

Good questions. 

I, more than anyone, understand the backlash to the modern feminist movement that has done little more than turn women into raging, self-centered, and intolerable nutjobs, pitting them against men in a never-ending power struggle. 

But when right-wing influential voices insist a woman cannot be happy without a family and that only a family will truly fulfill a woman’s purpose in life, they embody the restrictive, misogynistic caricature the left so easily and frequently assigns to the right. Luckily, I rarely run across these types of conservative men in my circles, but I do know they’re out there, and we do, as a movement, need to resist the urge to slide into simple binaries and swing the pendulum too far in the opposite direction. (RELATED: Is Conservatism Going the Wrong Direction on Feminism?)

Two things can be true at the same time. A nuclear family unit with one parent, typically a mother, dedicated full time to the growth and development of the children, is and will always be the cornerstone of a well-functioning civilization. (RELATED: Marriage Is the Antidote to Societal Decay)

At the same time, this is nor ever will be the reality for many women for a variety of reasons, a few of which Kelly outlines. Some may feel called to a career path and prioritize that over starting a family immediately. Others may never get there because, as Kelly points out, they “can’t because they were just never able to meet somebody.” Others come from broken homes and fear repeating a pattern of abuse and resentment, while some may willingly sacrifice a family in service of professional life. 

Have women been brainwashed into thinking that they are victims of an evil patriarchy that they must forever engage in battle? Yes. At the same time, I shudder to think of a world without any female doctors (particularly gynecologists!), therapists, artists, lawyers, and politicians, all careers that may require nothing less than utter devotion for success. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am not easily offended as many on the left seem to be by anyone’s portrait of the ideal woman. I never took Vance’s comments about single cat ladies personally, mostly because there was a lot of truth in them. Nor do I feel any less worthy of my “conservative” label because, according to those on the far right, I am not fulfilling my destiny as a woman unless I pump out six children and sit at home barefoot waiting for my husband to come home from a long day at work so I can serve him his beer and pot roast. (RELATED: Why are Liberal Women so Unhappy?)

I do not deny that ushering new life into the world is probably one of the most profound, life-changing, and awe-inspiring gifts God has granted women, one I will never know. I am a woman nonetheless, and one who finds joy in the multitude of other blessings the good Lord has bestowed upon me.

I, like many men and yes, women, do find purpose and meaning in my career and I am deeply fulfilled by it, mostly because I know God brought me to it. He directed me through a very particular set of experiences to fulfill His unique purpose for my life as He does everyone, no matter their political party. 

It’s taken me decades to feel confident in my unique expression of femininity and womanhood. One that doesn’t embrace the pearl-wearing, expertly coiffed style of the retro conservatives and probably feels a little bit more at home with the barefoot hippie essential oil-loving label. I’ve had to forge my own path, never quite fitting into convenient little boxes or cliques. I would never want to run the risk of denying that journey of self-discovery and blossoming to any woman. It builds strength, character, humility, confidence, and grace.

This is why I’ve always respected and admired Kelly. She is the best kind of feminist — one that sticks up for all women who at least aspire to these virtues, even if they fall short, no matter the path God has led them down. And conservatives would be wise to heed her wisdom.

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Is Conservatism Going the Wrong Direction on Feminism?

Why are Liberal Women so Unhappy?

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