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.

We no longer live in an era where women worked in the home and men where the breadwinners

Hello yourself! I work for pecuniary compensation, my wife takes care of the household and the kids. We each are more valuable to our family in those particular roles, and embrace that model by choice.

Why should we let our children be raised by some state-aproved day care baby mill when my wife can do a better job? Employment for her would only mean she gets run ragged for a marginal financial gain, while our children get farmed out.

Sounds like a socialist wet dream to me.

Not all want to live the way we do, they have the option not to. What's the big deal?

My wife wants to know why women should want to be sexually equal? Why give up their clear advantages?

You aren't inferior to men, but to God -- as are all men and women.

We men and women need each other, in order to accurately reflect the glory of God's creation.

Some Christians like to point to Genesis and say that Eve committed the orginal sin, but really it was Adam. He (read Genesis closely) was there when Eve was tempted, and Adam did not exercise spiritual headship in the presence of the Serpent. God told Adam what not to do, He didn't tell Eve. Yet Eve knew (as the Serpent proved), she learned (implied) from Adam. Yet Adam failed to confront the Serpent.

Thus the blameshifting began, and 'we're' still wrongly argueing between the sexes ever since.

You aren't inferior -- we both are.

...over their antiquated view that the little woman belongs at home taking their direction.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. It is not a question of "taking direction", but one of utilizing individual talents to the best and greatest good of our household and family. I do not tell my wife what to buy at the grocery store, I do not have time to micromanage our home while I am out in the boonies doing wellsite geology on an oil rig. We discuss the major things, she takes care of the petty and mundane, commonly without any input from me. I TRUST her judgement, or I would never have married her.

We have different skills, which compliment one another. It is not a question of Og telling Ogette to put another log on the fire.

I pity the people who are miserable because they are doing what good little 21st century wifeys and hubbies are supposed to to be 'progressive' instead of living a life which might be more to their liking and fulfillment. I also pity those women who feel threatened by a mom who can fix 'boo-boos' without taking the kid to an ER, can do carpentry and paint the living room by her self, without feeling the irrational need to subjugate her femininity to be more of a 'man' than a m'am.

It is a not a question of who does what so much as one of what is best for our family.

My workweek only runs 14/7, my wife's runs 10 hours per day longer, and for that she has my unfailing respect.

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