Interesting Times with Ross Douthat Did Liberal Feminism Ruin the Workplace?
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Nov 6, 2025 
Helen Andrews, a conservative writer focusing on gender and culture, and Leah Libresco Sargeant, a commentator on religion and ethics, engage in a spirited debate over the impact of feminism on modern workplaces. They explore whether the 'feminization' of institutions has fueled wokeness and the divide between genders. Topics include the failures of liberal feminism, defining toxic femininity, and how evolving workplace dynamics reflect or hinder male and female virtues. Their insights provoke questions about gender roles and the future of work.
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Wokeness As A Feminized Institutional Shift
- Helen Andrews argues that wokeness is a distinctively feminine institutional pathology tied to more women in institutions.
- She links traits like conflict-aversion and shutting down debate to a feminized institutional culture driving 'wokeness.'
MeToo Changed The Rules Of Scandal
- Helen uses the MeToo examples to show how rules for sex scandals changed from asking facts to mandatory belief in complainants.
- She argues that even ambiguous cases like Aziz Ansari became cancellations under new woke norms.
Equality Pressures Force Women Into Male Roles
- Leah Libresco Sargeant says a strand of feminism treats any sex difference as a threat to equality and forces women into male-shaped institutions.
- She argues this pressure causes real costs around pregnancy, dependence, and social support structures.
