Mary Harrington, author of Feminism Against Progress, joins Yascha Mounk to discuss second-wave feminism, the unintended effects of industrialization and contraception, and the commodification of female sexuality. They also explore the impact of technology on the women's movement and question the notion of progress in feminism.
The societal narrative needs to shift to acknowledge the value and importance of motherhood and provide support for women who choose to prioritize their children.
Progress in women's rights and feminism should be critically examined, considering the diverse experiences and perspectives of women and recognizing the impact of technological advancements on societal changes.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Balancing Motherhood and Career
One of the key points raised in the podcast episode is the challenge of juggling career aspirations and motherhood responsibilities. While it is often portrayed that women can have it all, the reality is that there are trade-offs and conflicts between the desire to have a successful career and the desire to be a caregiver to children. The podcast highlights research that shows that the majority of women prefer a balance between work and home, leaning towards working part-time and having flexible arrangements. However, societal pressure and the expectations of the upper-middle-class metropolitan elites often prioritize career ambition over being a mother. The societal narrative needs to shift to acknowledge the value and importance of motherhood and provide support for women who choose to prioritize their children.
The Ambiguity of Progress for Women
The podcast discusses the concept of progress in relation to women's rights and feminism. The guest speaker challenges the notion of progress, emphasizing that it is subjective and dependent on the metrics used to measure it. She argues that progress is often used as a belief system or theology rather than a factual reality. She highlights the need to question the idea that society is continuously moving toward moral improvement, especially when it comes to women's empowerment. Instead, she suggests understanding feminism as a response to societal changes brought about by technological advancements, such as industrialization and the introduction of contraception. By reframing feminism in this context, it becomes possible to critically examine the benefits and trade-offs of these changes, and to consider the diverse experiences and perspectives of women.
Challenging the Dominance of a Specific Social Set
The podcast episode critiques the dominance of a specific social set, namely the upper-middle-class metropolitan elites, in shaping the feminist narrative. It highlights the structural problem of the underrepresentation of mothers in public discourse and political life, as their caregiving responsibilities limit their participation. This results in a skewed representation of women's interests, with the voices of ambitious career-oriented women taking precedence. The accessibility of the internet and smartphones is seen as a positive development, allowing mothers to have a voice in the feminist conversation and challenge the prevailing narratives. It is suggested that recognizing the inherent value of motherhood and offering more choices and support to women can help address the cultural assumptions that prioritize career success over being a mother.
Trade-Offs and Ambiguities in Women's Liberation
The podcast explores the trade-offs and ambiguities of women's liberation, particularly in relation to the impact of the contraceptive revolution and the industrialization of fertility. While these developments have provided women with greater freedom and opportunities, they have also led to the commodification of women's bodies and the proliferation of the sex industry. The guest speaker highlights that the benefits and costs of these changes are not evenly distributed, with women from different social backgrounds experiencing these transformations differently. This analysis challenges the simplistic narrative of progress and encourages a deeper examination of the complex effects of women's liberation on different groups of women.
Yascha Mounk and Mary Harrington debate whether or not societies have made significant progress towards gender equality.
Mary Harrington is a writer and a contributing editor at UnHerd. She is the author of Feminism Against Progress.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Mary Harrington discuss second-wave feminism and the downstream consequences of the sexual revolution; the unintended effects of industrialization and contraceptive use; and whether the contraceptive revolution has, as Harrington argues, brought about a greater commodification of female sexuality.
