Do Conservatives See Women As Inferior? (Kelly Hollowell On Sexual Equality Alert)

I sat in church on Mother's Day and listened to the pastor build his sermon around the book of Proverbs. Sadly, one point of emphasis was that "it is better for a man to live in the corner of a roof than share a house with a complaining wife." The pastor predictably joked that "his point was scriptural and not personal." But then went on in poor taste to make other jokes concerning his wife's shopping habits and the number of shoes in her closet.

On Father's Day, another pastor spoke, again from Proverbs. This time it was a wholly uplifting message on the role, impact and leadership of men. This message was driven home further on the Fourth of July, in which men, particularly those serving in our armed forces, were heralded as heroes for their self-sacrifice and commitment to God, family and country.

A rear admiral also spoke from the pulpit on "honor, courage and commitment." He said the best displays of these traits were illustrated by his wife as she supported him in his career, primarily raised the children, maintained the home and remained loyal to their relationship.

As these familiar examples illustrate, conservatives frequently extol and focus on a very limited view of women. Despite this tendency, I don't think conservatives regard women as inferior. Rather, it is a liberal spin that has over-capitalized on a rather obvious (although not exclusive) area of appreciation conservatives have for women.

In response to the liberal spin, conservatives appear either too arrogant or too lazy to correct the perception that women are viewed inferior or valued only in the limited capacity of wife and mother. What's worse, it appears widely acceptable to take the position that any flawed perception is the problem of the consumer.

So what of those too young or naive to wade through the rhetoric? What of those abused by similar views taken to an extreme? What of those who don't yet understand or grasp their value? What of single, infertile and widowed women? And what of women, dare I say it, who actually want to work outside the home?

Uncorrected, the number of women lost to the left will grow exponentially. This is simply no way for conservatives to broaden their base or embrace the next generation of women. And let's not overlook the men who will marry them.

The worst part of the conservative's failure to correct this perception is that liberals have usurped and distorted the very meaning of feminism. Today, it has been successfully spun so far left that it is epitomized by women willing to kill their own children in the womb.

The good news is that all of this is fixable. First, it would be good for conservatives to give a few more kudos to women called outside the traditional roles and – dare I suggest it – support them along the way. Second, it might help in some cases for the more traditional leaders to take a class on sensitivity training … OK, OK, at least a class in 21st century communication skills. Third, and I have to say it, it would help if the old codgers among us who do hold rather blatantly chauvinistic views stepped into the 21st century and recognized that women can think outside the cake box.

Finally, the hardest part may begin with conservative women recognizing our true value and then holding each other up when our sisters choose a path different from our own. From there we must take the lead in redefining true feminism in America. One very close friend wrote me about the importance of holding onto our true femininity even when ignored, overlooked, undervalued and frustrated. She also wrote the following poem about transitioning from the world's distorted perception of feminine to its true meaning.

There was a time when I was a rebel on the mount. My hair was wild; my attitude harsh and proud. I stood on that mountain alone and fierce and invited those I wished to live at my feet. The numbers were few. Storms came strong and mighty. At first, when the lightening and thunder came you could see my form contrasted by the light: fist raised, hand on hip and proud! But the storms became too strong and though I fought and fought and fought, I finally lay beside my mountain to see it was only a hill.

I looked at my scarred hands, bent back and harsh spirit, and said, "Is this all that I'm fighting for?" I turned and looked at those who yet stood beside me. They were war torn. Then with a crackling voice I said, "I give up. I can't make this work. Look at what I've done to you so that I could remain on this peak of desolation."

So I took off the rude helmet that I had made for myself. Laid down my armor of irritation; my weapon of anger; took off my breastplate of haughtiness and went to wash in God's river.

The water revealed a woman, soft hair, soft eyes, gentle hands and quiet voice. I stepped out and put on the garments that He quietly laid out for me – a gentle and kind disposition, a tender and obedient spirit, quietness and confidence for strength and I was stunned … the garments fit me perfectly.

The point of the article and poem is to delineate a "New Choice" for women in America. That is to overcome the knee-jerk reaction to be offended by the often narrowly focused view of women by conservatives, overcome the liberal spin and reject the distorted interpretation of feminism that has become so prevalent. Assuming conservatives do not view women as inferior, they could help in the process by improving their efforts to uphold the inherent value of every woman not just those filling traditional roles.

I'm disappointed in this "analysis," if you can call it that.

Some of the leading characters in the conservative drama of the past few years are strong, intelligent, thoughtful women who have brought the ideas of America's Founding into the forefront of conservative thought, or have practiced leadership in the movement in a variety of ways.

Two or three names that come to mind are:

Lynn Cheney (who was writing 20 or so years ago about the schools effectively "erasing the American memory" of generations of children of our founding principles) and has now contributed children's history books during the time she is serving as the Vice President's wife;
Barbara Olsen, Attorney and wife of Ted Olsen, whose grace and knowledge of conservative ideas made her a highly respected and influential working spokesman for conservatism;
Annette Kirk, wife of Dr. Russell Kirk, appointed by President Reagan to the National Commission on Excellence in Education, which in 1983 published the landmark report, "A Nation at Risk, elevating educational issues to national prominence. She has served for some years as an advisor to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and to the Heritage Foundation’s Russell Kirk Memorial Lecture Series. In 2002 she was appointed to the board of the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries;
Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative thought leader of millions since 1964, when her book, A Choice Not an Echo, thrust her into the spotlight. A lawyer who has focused on Constitutional thought, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve as a member of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution 1985-1991. She has testified before more than 50 congressional and state legislative committees on constitutional, national defense and family issues. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Washington University, received her J.D. from Washington University Law School and her master's in political science from Harvard University. Ladies' Home Journal named her one of the 100 most important women of the 20th century;
Beverly LaHaye,the exact opposite of the Liberal N.O.W. leaders. She founded Concerned Women for America, a Christian, Conservative, and Traditional-Values-oriented organization that commands respect for its analysis and activism in conservative matters. She and her organization have influenced the minds of millions.

These are only a few of the respected leaders of conservatism in America. As a matter of fact, were it not for them and the work they have been doing for several decades, the movement itself would not have penetrated the hearts and minds of the citizenry out there in the so-called "red states."

Thinkers and doers command respect, regardless of gender. Clare Booth Luce, author of "Great American Conservative Women," was herself a respected leader decades ago.

Of course, those who should be the most highly respected among us are the mothers of home-schooled youngsters who are sacrificing "luxuries" in order to rear a generation of youth who understand the founding ideas, who will be equipped by their education to become responsible citizens, and who will be the new conservative leaders. As a matter of fact, some of the young male leaders of today came from just that kind of background.

"Never underestimate the power of a woman," a magazine declared. That old adage applies in spades to the conservative women who can be given credit for a major responsibility for today's "red states." Both Party leaders had better have tremendous respect for that effort, because it is not the liberal feminists who rule in those areas, it is the woman who has been reading and studying the documents of America's founding, the writings of some of the people name above, and is dedicated to preserving liberty for her children and grandchildren.

The Dems like to say, "When women vote, Democrats win." I read somewhere that if it hadn't been for women voters, Bill Clinton would never have been elected. We can say, "Well, women are just stupid, inferior Dims," and write them off, or we can try to help them see the light, as I and many other female former Dems have seen the light.

I've seen threads on FR that were so nasty, so hateful toward women, that I could only think, "If some liberal woman comes to this site and reads this, it will only reinforce every negative stereotype that she holds about conservative men." I'm no feminist, but I think there must be a lot of divorced, bitter men on FR, and they absolutely despise women. They sound exactly like Feminazis in reverse, as they blame women for everything and paint themselves as noble victims. There are certain topics, certain threads that I don't even click on anymore because I know they will bring out the FR woman-bashers. It's the one downside to this site.

If we want more women to come around and start voting like conservatives, I don't think those attitudes will help to bring them into the tent. Just MHO.

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