Liberating Motherhood S2 Ep11: Dating in a Patriarchy, With Jennie Young
Aug 6, 2025
Jennie Young, a professor of writing and rhetoric and author of 'Burn the Haystack', dives into the murky waters of modern dating in a patriarchal society. She shares her insights on why dating has become a nightmare for women, revealing rhetorical patterns that signal misogyny. Jennie emphasizes empowering women to critically assess potential partners and discusses the influence of porn on online dating culture. Through humor and personal anecdotes, she provides tools for navigating relationships, urging women to recognize red flags and aspire towards healthier connections.
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Trauma Weaponized As False Vulnerability
- Zahn recounts meeting a man who weaponized her trauma and manipulated her with false vulnerability.
- She realized his stories were tools to control and sexually excite him while appearing sensitive.
Apps Concentrate The Worst Dating Pool
- Jennie discovered the majority of single men she encountered were objectively undateable.
- She argues apps collect the worst-of-the-worst because tolerable men tend to stay partnered.
Apply Burn Haystack: Rules Then Rhetoric
- Use Jennie’s Burn Haystack method: apply concrete rules first, then rhetorical tactics.
- Analyze language and behavior with applied rhetoric to filter dangerous men fast.
