The Aaron Renn Show The Dignity of Dependence | Leah Libresco Sargeant
Nov 3, 2025
Leah Libresco Sargeant, author of The Dignity of Dependence, dives into a provocative view of feminism that embraces dependence as a human norm. She critiques modern design biases, from kitchen counters to breast pumps, highlighting their male-centric defaults. Leah advocates for workplaces that truly support parents rather than abstract workers. She discusses how communities can foster men's roles, combat isolation, and enhance dignity for the aging, pushing back against the myth of autonomy in favor of interdependence.
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Choosing Community Over Convenience
- Leah Libresco Sargeant moved to Hyattsville after seeing kids freely play in a snowstorm and feeling that communal safety was ideal for her family.
- That moment convinced her to seek a neighborhood where children roam and neighbors watch out for one another.
Dependence As A Central Human Pattern
- The Dignity of Dependence argues equality doesn't require making women interchangeable with men.
- It reframes dependence as the basic human pattern, not an aberration.
Tools Shape People, Not Vice Versa
- Modern tools often standardize humans to fit them rather than serving diverse human needs.
- Breast pumps and countertops show how design prioritizes convenience over actual care needs.
