Contents
foreword
AnnCoulter
xiii
TheRevolutionIsOver
AllIWantIsaHusband
3
FemaleEmancipation?
5
PhyllisSchlafly'sNationalAnthem
7
DoesMomHavetoWork?
10
BoysJustWanttoHaveGuns
12
ANightattheOpera
14
Ms.DiscoversHumanNature
16
LosersintheSexualRevolution
18
Post-FeministCareerWomen
20
MakingHeroesoutofRapists
23
FortuneFavorstheTrophyWife
24
WorkingGirlExplodesaFeministMyth
26
2
BusybodiesandCrybabies
28
TheFeministIdentityCrisis
30
LordoftheWhiteHousePlantation
33
Hillary:FeministHeroine?
35
TerrorismMeetsFeminism
38
StillNotHappyattheTop
41
II
TheMirrororMakerofTrends?
Kramerv.Kramer
CanBabiesandHusbandsCope?
MadisonAvenueandMotherhood
DoingtheDirtyWork
WhoInventedFreeLove?
StatutoryRapeandDateRape
MaleWimps
CarvingtheJoint
ANon-FeministNovel
GoingAroundwiththeWrongCrowd
TheMonsterbehindtheMyth
ReinventingtheFamily
WaroftheRoses
MachoVictims
TheFeministWaragainstMarriage
G.I.Jane:FeministRoleModel
Who'sHomeAloneNow?
3
Ill
QuestioningaWoman'sPlace
What'sWrongwithEqualRightsforWomen?
SocialSecurityIsPro-Woman
DoWomenGetEqualPayforEqualWork?
Women'sStudiesv.AcademicFreedom
WhatDoSmithWomenWant?
WomenandtheLaw
ComparableWorthIsNotPayEquity
TryingtoMeasuretheUnmeasurable
TheUNWomen'sConferenceinNairobi117
WhytheEqualRightsAmendmentFailed119
TheIntelligentCandidate'sGuidetotheWomen'sVote123
SexistSoftware126
WhyAffirmativeActionforWomenIsWrong128
Yes,Virginia,ThereIsaDifference131
FeministsWanttoHaveItBothWays133
CodeName:GlassCeiling134
RuthBaderGinsburg'sFeministWorldview136
Feminism'sFundamentalDefects140
FeministsTrytoStampOuttheRadicalTruth142
FeministAssaultonReasonableness144
FeministsHaveGlobalGoals,Too147
ALousyWaytoRunaCompany149
TheUnitedNationsTreatyonWomen151
PaulaJonesandAnitaHill153
ViolenceagainstWomen155
IV
AQender-NeutralMilitary?
4
WomenShouldNotServeinCombat161
TheFeminizationoftheU.S.Military166
SendingMotherstoWar168
ThePregnancyProblem170
AffirmativeActionintheMilitary173
TheMythofIsraeliWomeninCombat174
WomenDon'tBelonginCombat177
TheFeministAssaultonVMI180
TheKellyFlinnFlimflam182
CanYouBeAllYouCanBe?185
WomenDon'tBelongonSubmarines189
TheSpecial-InterestLobbyCalledDACOWITS190
MarriageandMotherhood
ChoosingaCareer
TheCinderellaComplex
WhereHaveAlltheMothersGone?
BigBrotherWantstoBeBigMama
ALongLeapintotheDark
TheTwo-ClassAmericanSociety
UnderstandingMen
MoreWork,LessIncome
WhatGovernmentShouldDoforMothers
Pornography'sVictims
FamilyViolenceIsEveryone'sConcern
FeministIdeologyandChildCare
AChild'sPlaceIsintheHome
MommyTracksandSequentialCareers
ThePoliticsofDaycare
WhoIsLiberatedbyDivorce?
WhyFeministsTargetWives
TwoFacesofMarriageTaxReform
5
ADaycareBombshellHitsthe"Village"
TheUNTreatyontheRightsoftheChild
Index247
foreword
WRITINGTHEFOREWORDtoabookbyPhyllisSchlaflyislike
beingthewarm-upbandfortheRollingStones.Thoughconservative
womeninmygenerationareoftencomparedtoSchlafly,allofus
combinedcouldnevermatchthetitanicaccomplishmentsofthis
remarkablewoman.Schlaflyisunquestionablyoneofthemost
importantpeople,ofthetwentiethcentury.Amonghersex,sheis
rivaledonlybyMargaretThatcher.
ThatPhyllisSchlaflyisthemortalenemyofamovementthatclaims
topromotewomentellsyouallyouneedtoknowaboutfeminism.
ThatmanypeoplealivetodayareunawareofSchlafly'sachievements
tellsyouallyouneedtoknowaboutthemajormedia.
Schlaflyisbrilliant,beautiful,principled,articulate,tireless,andmost
important,absolutelyfearless.And,asthisbookdemonstrates,sheis
alwaysright.Shehasalwaysbeenright.Shewillalwaysberight.
No,wait:Correction!Onetimeshewaswrong.In1977,whilebeing
haranguedbyDr.JoyceBrothersontheMervGriffinShow,Schlafly
claimedHarvardLawSchoolhadbeenadmittingwomensinceatleast
1945.Infact,HarvardLawSchooldidnotbeginadmittingwomen
forseveralmoreyears.Butin1945itmayhavebeenpreparedto
makeanexceptionforPhyllisSchlafly.
ThisPhiBetaKappahadalreadyearnedhermaster'sdegreein
politicalsciencefromHarvardinabriefeightmonths—gettingAsin
constitutionallaw,internationallaw,andpublicadministration,andan
A-minusinmodernpoliticaltheory,longbeforegradeinflation.
ThoughHarvardLawSchooldidnotadmitwomen,Schlafly's
6
professorsurgedhertostayandattendlawschoolor,alternatively,
earnherdoctorate.(ImaginetheHarvardfacultymeetingstodayhad
shestayedonandbecomeaprofessorthere!)
ConsiderthatthiswasbackwhenHarvardwasaseriousplace,soit
meantsomething.Schlafly'sHarvardprofessors—whosespecialties
werethingslikeconstitutionallaw,notcuttingrapCDs—deemedher
"brilliant."Theprofessorwhointervenedonherbehalf,Benjamin
Wright,wasadistinguishedconstitutionalhistorian—thesortof
legitimatescholarwhowouldn'thaveachanceofbeinghiredat
today'sHarvard.
Yearslater,whenSchlaflywastestifyingagainsttheEqualRights
Amendment(ERA),shewasoftenridiculedbymediafeministsfor
notbeingalawyer.Sowhilewritinghersyndicatedcolumn,raising
sixhighlyaccomplishedchildren,anddefeatingtheERA,Schlafly
wenttoWashingtonUniversityLawSchoolinSt.Louis.She
graduatednearthetopofherclass,winningtheprizeinadministrative
law.
ThoughSchlaflyismostfamouslyassociatedwithherstunning,
nearlymiraculousdefeatofERA,shehasplayedapivotalroleina
broadrangeofpoliticalcontroversiesforfourdecades.
In1964,shewroteAChoiceNotAnEcho,whichsoldan
astoundingthreemillioncopies.(Theaveragenonfictionbooksells
fivethousandcopies.)ThebookchangedtheRepublicanParty
forever.Inthisrespect,itwasnotunlikemanybattlesSchlaflywould
wage:firstshewouldhavetoconquertheRepublicansandthenshe
couldconquerthenation.
AChoiceNotAnEchoiswidelycreditedwithhandingBarry
GoldwatertheRepublicannominationforpresident.Goldwaterlost
badlyinthegeneralelection,buttheRepublicanPartywouldneverbe
thesame.Hisnominationbegantheretreatofsellout,northeastern
7
RockefellerRepublicans(whowantedtowreckthecountrywithonly
slightlylessalacritythantheDemocrats).WithoutSchlafly,without
thatbook,withoutGoldwater'scandidacy,itisunlikelythatRonald
Reaganwouldeverhavebeenelectedpresident.
Laterin1964,shecollaboratedwithAdmiralChesterWardon
anotherbook,TheGravediggers.Thisbookaccusedtheeliteforeign
policyestablishmentofcheerfullysellingoutournation'smilitary
superioritytotheSovietUnion.Itsoldawhoppingtwomillion
copies.
AlsowithWard,Schlaflyco-authoredtheextremelyinfluential(and
extremelylong,atovereighthundredpages)KissingerontheCouch,
methodicallyassailingKissinger'sforeignpolicy.Aswithhercrusade
againsttheERA—whichshewagedsimultaneously—Kissingeron
theCouchwouldturnconventionalwisdomupsidedown.
Untilthen,attackingKissinger'sbelovedStrategicArmsLimitations
Treaty(SALT)wasthesecularversionofchallengingthePopeon
Christ'sdivinity—or,Isuppose,challengingaconstitutional
amendmentthatpurportedtogivewomen"equalrights."Butshewas
right,shewaspersuasive,andsheoverturnedpopularopinion.
Indeed,SchlaflyhaswrittenprolificallyaboutAmericanforeign
policyandmilitaryaffairs.Shewasanearlyandvigorousproponent
ofamissiledefenseshield.Formanyyearsshewasnationaldefense
chairmanoftheDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution.Shehas
writtenextensivelyaboutICBMSanddefensetreaties.Meanwhile,
feministsengagedincliffhangerdebatesaboutwhethertowear
lipstick.
ItwasfortuitousthatSchlaflywasluredawayfromnationaldefense
andbecamethefeminists'worstnightmare.Intheearly1970s,the
SourceLibraryinDarienstagedmonthlypoliticaldebatesthatwere
broadcastonradio.Everyprogramfeaturedtwodebatersandapanel
8
ofstudentquestioners—ofwhich,Inote,myoldestbrother,inhigh
schoolatthetime,wasthehead.
InDecember1971,theywantedadebateontheEqualRights
Amendmentbutcouldn'tfindanyonetoopposeit.Finally,afriendof
Schlafly'sgaveheratry.Schlaflydeclined.Sheexplainedshehad
littleinterestintheERA,buttogiveheracalliftheyeverwanteda
debateonnationaldefense.ThefriendimploredSchlaflysimplyto
readtheamendment.
Shedid,wasdulyappalled,andcametodebate.Thuswasacrusade
born.TheSourceLibrary'sdecisiontoaskSchlaflytodebatetheERA
wasthemosthistoricallysignificantflukesincealittlegirlwroteto
AbrahamLincolntellinghimheshouldgrowabeard.
Almostnooneremembersthisnow,butwhenSchlaflyturnedher
attentiontotheERA,anyreasonablepersonwouldhavesaiditwas
unstoppable.TheSenatehadpassedit84to8.TheHousepassedit
354to23.Thirtystatesapproveditinthefirstyearafteritwassentto
thestatesforratification.Onlyeightmorestateswereneeded.There
waslittlequestionthattheERAwasabouttobecomeournext
constitutionalamendment.
ButtheERAhadnotyetfacedPhyllisSchlafly.Overthenextnine
years,thankstoSchlaflyandherEagleForum,onlyfivestatesratified
it.Inthesametime,fivestatesrescindedtheirearlierratifications,for
anettotalofzeroratifications.
Notsurprisingly,givenherbackground,oneofSchlafly'smost
devastatingargumentsagainsttheERAwasthatitwouldendthe
femaleexemptionfromthedraft.Thoughtheamendment'sproponents
sneeredatthis,shewasright.Lawprofessorsweremakingthesame
pointinthelikesoftheYaleLawJournal.Beyondthis,Iwillnot
attempttosummarizeSchlafly'scaseagainsttheERA.Itisinthis
9
book.AnyargumentthatcouldstoptheERAsteamrollerdeadinits
tracksmanifestlycanspeakforitself.
SufficeittosaythatSchlafly'sargumentstrumpedthepolitical
platformsofbothparties,bothRepublicanandDemocraticpresidents
andtheirwives,andaslewofHollywoodcelebritiesincludingAlan
Alda,CarolBurnett,MarioThomas,PhilDonahue,andJean
Stapleton.AsSchlaflysaid,theyhavethemoviestarmoneyandwe
havethevoters.
ToaGen-Xerlikeme,themostunfathomableaspectofSchlafly's
successisthatshemobilizedavastarmyofwomenwithoutthe
internet.Notwithoutreasonshehasbeencalledthegreatest
pamphleteersinceThomasPaine.(ButunlikePaine,sheneverwent
bad.)
ThestorybehindPhyllisSchlafly'sbiography,PhyllisSchlafly:The
SweetheartoftheSilentMajority,providesagoodsnapshotof
Schlafly'spowertoinspire.Thebook'sauthor,CarolFelsenthal,
explainedhowshecametowriteSchlafly'sbiographyafterattacking
Schlaflyinprint
in1977.
AnERAsupporterandfeminist,Felsenthalhadwrittenacolumnfor
theChicagoTribuneridiculingSchlafly'sninthbook,ThePowerof
thePositiveWoman.Shesaiditwasirrational,contradictory,and
simple-minded.Andthensomethingextraordinaryhappened:"Two
dayslater,thelettersofproteststartedcoming,andtheykeptcoming
—frompeoplewhowereenragedthatIhadinsulted'OurSavior,'as
oneletterwritercalledSchlafly,or'OurWonderWoman,'asanother
calledher....[T]heTribunebookeditordoesnotrunaregular
'letters'column.Thesepeoplewerewritingforonereasononly—to
convertme,tomakemeseethelight.”
ThoughFelsenthalhadwrittenhundredsofcolumnsbeforethis,she
10
saidshecould"countononehandthenumberoflettersthey
provoked."Thus,shebecamefascinatedwiththewomanwhocould
arousesuchpassionatesupport.Felsenthal'smeticulouslyresearched,
definitivebiographyofPhyllisSchlaflyistheresult.Charmingly,the
toughestpartofFelsenthal'sprojectwasovercomingSchlafly's
humbleresistancetotheveryideaofabiography.
IhavemyownstoryaboutSchlafly'svastinfluence.WhenIworked
fortheU.S.Senatefrom1995to1997,Republicanshadjusttaken
Congressforthefirsttimeinfortyyears.Itwasabusytime:thiswas
thebeginningofthe(failed,asitturnedout)"Republicanrevolution."
(Don'tblameme—the"Republican"majorityconsistedofmanyofthe
sameliberalRepublicansSchlaflyhasbattledthroughouthercareer.)
Therewasalotofenergyandactivityonallfronts.Butovertime,a
peculiarphenomenonoccurred,heartwarmingandcomedicatthe
sametime.LettersbeganpouringintoeverySenateofficevehemently
opposingtheUnitedNationsTreatyontheRightsoftheChild.
Itwasapreposteroustreaty,itgoeswithoutsaying,providing
childrenwithsuch"rights"underinternationallawasrefusingtodo
householdchores.TheClintonadministrationhadsentthetreatyto
Congressforratification,where,mercifully,itpromptlywenttothe
bottomofSenatorJesseHelms's"In"box.
TherewaslittlechanceHelmswouldtakeitup.But,ontheother
hand,crazierthingshavebecomelaw.Onlytheoverwhelmingpublic
oppositionensuredthatthistreatywouldnotbecomelaw.
Lettersadamantlyopposedtothetreatystreamedin,dayafterday,
monthaftermonth,pilingupinSenateoffices.Mostlettersthatcome
tocongressionalofficesarewrittenoutofpureselfinterest.(People
wholiveongovernmentgrantstendtobestronglyopposedtoany
effortstorelievethetaxpayerofpayingtheirsalaries.)Yetherewere
boxesandboxesoflettersfromwell-informedpeopleseekingno
11
governmentfavor,butratheropposed,onprinciple,toaproposed
internationaltreaty.Howdidtheyknow?Itturnedout,ofcourse,that
PhyllisSchlaflyhadwrittenacolumnaboutthetreaty.Theletters
followed.
Thereisnomajornationaldebateinthepastfourdecadesinwhich
Schlafly'spowerful,salubriousinfluenceisnotmanifest.Schlafly
couldhaverestedonherlaurelsafterwritingAChoiceNotanEcho.
ShecouldhaverestedonherlaurelsafterdefeatingtheERA.Indeed,
shecouldhaverestedonherlaurelsonanynumberofoccasions,and
Americacanbethankfulthatshedidnot.
ThesheerbreadthoftheissuesSchlaflytakesonisastonishing.Itis
impossibletothinkofanyonealivetodaywhoaddressessucharange
oftopicsinanydepth.Mostpublicfiguresfocusononeortwoissues
andstickwiththose.NotSchlafly—andwithnodetrimenttoheral
waysincisiveanalysis.(IfanyoneontheleftdidthiswithSchlafly's
skill,we'dneverheartheendofit.)
Inthisbook,SchlaflywritesaboutanumberoflegalissuesIcount
amongmyspecialties,suchastheViolenceAgainstWomenActand
sexualharassmentlaw.Timeandagainshegoeslikeaheat-seeking
missiletotheheartofthematterandshredslegalmonstrositieswith
blindingclarity.Don'tbefooledbyhoweasyshemakesitlook!Like
anOlympicathlete,hertalentistomakeitseemeasy.
It'salmostunfairforSchlaflytotrainheranalyticalmindonthe
feminists.Butwhatthefeministslackintruth,morals,andlinear
thinking,theymakeupforintheirhegemoniccontroloverthemajor
media.
Nomatter.Throughouthercareer,Schlaflyrefusedtobeintimidated
bymediocreopinionmakersdecreeingwhat"everyone"issupposed
tothink.Shewouldreaduponanissueandthentakeapositionthat
almostnoacademicwoulddefendsimplybecauseitwassocontrary
12
toacceptedopinion.
Sherelentlesslypressedpointsthatpolitepeoplethoughtitbadtaste
totalkabout.Theypreferredtoapprovethegeneralsentimentandnot
thinkaboutanymessydetailsorfacts.Thus,forexample,Schlafly
questionedhowERAwouldaffectseparatemale-femalelocker
rooms,gays,abortion,adoption,widow'sbenefits,divorcelaw,and
themilitary.Shehasanknackforpullingthestringthatunravels
complicatedleft-wingnonsense.
Inthisbookaresomeoftheargumentsthatchangedtheworld.
Amongmyfavoritesis"GoingAroundwiththeWrongCrowd."I
alwaysknewitwastrue:liberalwomenthinkmenarepigsbecause
liberalmenarepigs.Schlaflyciteschapterandverseontheprivate
livesofsuchliberalluminariesasMarx,Sartre,Rousseau,Picasso,
Ibsen,andHemingway.Loveoftotalitarianismandmisogynygo
handinhand.
ItisimpossibletoresistmentioningthatSchlaflycameupwiththe
onlycleverremarkthefeministshaveeverhad.WhenSchlaflyranfor
Congressin1970,heropponentceaselesslybrowbeatherforbeinga
woman,complainingthatsheshouldbehomeraisingherchildren.
Schlafiyresponded:"Myopponentsaysawoman'splaceisinthe
home.Butmyhusbandreplies,awoman'splaceisintheHouse—the
U.S.HouseofRepresentatives.”
BesuretomentionthistothenextfeministyouseewearingaT-shirt
thatsays,"AWoman'sPlaceisintheHouse...andSenate.”
AfittingsummaryofSchlafly'sapproachtothefeministsisinthe
lastlineofherprofile.Youknowshemeansit,andyetyoualso
suspectshetakesdevilishpleasureknowingthatitdrivesfeminists
crazy.Afteranabbreviatedsummaryofhermanyaccomplishments,
Schlafly'sprofileconcludes:"Themotherofsixchildren,shewas
13
named1992IllinoisMotheroftheYear.”
ANNCOULTER
TheRevolutionIsOver
O,thesedeliberatefools,whentheydochoose,Theyhavethe
wisdombytheirwittolose.
TheMerchantofVenice
AllIWantIsahusband
Inmid-1982,thewomen'sliberationmovement,orfeminismasit
preferstobecalled,suddenlybecamepassé.Themovementwasborn
inthemid-1960swiththepublicationofBettyFriedan'sTheFeminine
Mystiqueandwasfashionableinthemedia,incolleges,andin
women'smagazinesfrom1972to1982.
In1982,thetideturned,eveninpro-feministnewspapersand
magazines.Anop-edpiecewrittenbyafeministintheChicago
TribuneinOctober1982startedout,"Let'sfaceit.TheRevolutionis
over.Ijustturned31andallIwantisahusband.”
Feministsintheirthirtiesbegantoadmitcandidlythattheyhave
"babyhunger.”That’stheemotionaltraumathatcomesovertoday's
liberatedwomanwhensheturnsagethirtyandrealizesthattheclock
istickingandheryearsofpossiblemotherhoodareslippingaway.
TheNewYorkTimesMagazinepublishedacoverstorywrittenbya
feministonOctober17,1982,called"VoicesFromthePost-Feminist
Generation."Shetoldhowoneofhermalefriendsaskedhertoget
himadatewith"awomanwho'snotafeminist."Sherepliedthatshe
didn'tknowany.Hetoldhershewaswrongandsuggestedthatshe
inquireamongyoungerwomen.
14
Sothisfeministwriterinherthirtiesstartedinterviewingsmartyoung
womenintheirtwenties,andshelearnedquitealot.Shediscovered
that,amongwomenintheirtwenties,"feminismhasbecomeadirty
word."Shediscoveredthatyoungwomenintheirtwentieshave
concludedthatfeministsare"unhappy,""bitter,""angry,""tired,"and
"bored,"andthatthehappy,enthusiastic,relaxedwomenarenot
feminists.The
writerfoundthatyoungwomenareespeciallyturnedoffbyfeminism
becauseofits"incrediblebitterness."Sheadmittedthat"feminismhad
cometobestronglyidentifiedwithlesbianism.”
TheWallStreetJournalranaseriesofnewsstoriesaboutthe
disruptionincorporationsandlawfirmscausedbythewaveof
pregnanciesatthemanagerialandprofessionallevels.Sincemore
womenholdhigh-leveljobs,theirtimeoffforpregnancyhascaused
seriousproblems.Inthepasteightyears,thenumberofwomenover
thirtyhavingachildhasalmostdoubled.
AstudybytheadvertisingfirmofBatten,Barton,Durstine&
Osbornediscoveredthat"theprofessionalhomemakerisahappy
womanwhofeelsgoodaboutherselfandherabilitytosticktoher
decisiontoremainathome,evenunderstrongsocietalpressureto
findanoutsidejob."Sheisfeminineandtraditional;sheisnot
feminist.
Theideologyoffeminismteachesthatwomenhavebeenmistreated
sincetimebeganandthateveninAmericawomenarediscriminated
againstbyanoppressivemale-dominatedsociety.Asapolitical
movement,feminismteachesthatajustsocietymustmandateidentical
treatmentformenandwomenineveryphaseofourlives,nomatter
howreasonableitistotreatthemdifferently,andthatgendermust
neverbeusedasthecriterionforanydecision.
Asaneconomicmovement,feminismteachesthattruefulfillmentand
15
liberationforwomenareinapayingjobratherthanintheconfining,
repetitiousdrudgeryofthehome,andthatchildcaremustnotbe
allowedtointerferewithawoman'scareer.Feminism'spsychological
outlookonlifeisbasicallynegative;itteacheswomenthattheodds
arestackedsoseverelyagainstthemthattheyprobablycannot
succeedinwhatevertheyattempt.
Feminismhasnothingatalltodowithbeing"feminine."Feminine
meansaccentuatingthewomanlyattributesthatmakewomen
deliciouslydifferentfrommen.Thefemininewomanenjoysherright
tobe
awoman.Shehasapositiveoutlookonlife.Sheknowsthatsheisa
personwithherownidentityandthatshecanseekfulfillmentinthe
careerofherchoice,includingthatoftraditionalwifeandmother.
1982
femaleEmancipation"?
"LoveandSuccess:CanWeHaveItAll?"wastheheadlineoveran
articleinGlamourmagazine.Thesubheadproclaimedthefeminist
answertothatquestioninlargetype:"Yes,saytoday'shigh-powered
youngwomen.Reininginyourambitionisnolongeranacceptable
pricetopayforlove.”
Thearticlestartsoffwithenthusiasticexamplesofhighlypaid
professionalorbusinesswomenwhoaresuccessfulintheircareers,
justlikemen.Oneisalawyer,oneadoctor(licenseplateMSMDI),
oneavicepresidentofalargecorporation.
Itallsoundssoperfect—untilthefineprintonthebackpagereveals
thecosts.Onesurveyshowsthat,amongwomenwhoearn$50,000a
yearormore,thedivorcerateisfourtimesthenationalaverage.
Anothersurveyshowsthat,amongwomenwhoearn$25,000ayear
16
ormore,thedivorcerateismorethantwicetheaverageforall
women.Athirdsurveyshowsthat,amongprofessionaland
managerialwomenwhosemedianincomeis$20,000to$25,000a
year,46percentaresingle,19percentaredivorcedorseparated,and
58percentarechildless,allfiguresmuchhigherthanthenational
average.Afourthsurveyshowsthatwomenwhogoontograduate
schooldivorcemoreoftenthanthosewhostopafterfouryearsof
college.
TheNovember1982issueofPsychologyTodaycarriedanarticle
called"RealMenDon'tEarnLessThanTheirWives,"whichfrankly
reports
thatresearchshowsthattherateofdivorceforwomenwhoholdnontraditionaljobsistwiceashighasforthosewhoholdtraditionaljobs.
Itconcludesthatthe"riskstomarriageareseriousbutnot
insuperable.”
Therealanswertothelove-and-successquestionis:anything's
possible,butawomanwhotriesforbothatthesametimeshould
knowinadvancethatitisahigh-risklifestyleandbepreparedtopay
theprice.
Untilthetwentiethcentury,womenalwaysparticipatedinthelabor
forcejustlikemen,whetheronthefarmorinthecraftsman'sshop.It
requiredtheproductivelaborofbothhusbandandwife,andoften
theirchildren,tomakeendsmeet.WhentheIndustrialRevolution
sweptacrossAmericainthenineteenthcentury,womenworkedinthe
factoriesjustlikemen.
OneofthegreatestachievementsoftheAmericaneconomicsystem
isthat,bytheendofWorldWarI,ourproductivityhadincreasedso
muchthattheaverageworkingmanwasabletobringhomea
sufficientwagesohiswifedidnothavetolaborinthefactories,
mines,orfields."Femaleemancipation"meantfreeingwomenfrom
17
theharnessofthelaborforcesothattheycouldhaveabetterquality
oflifeathome.
Overthelasttenyears,inflationandhightaxeshavecutsodeeply
intothetake-homepayoftheaverageworkingmanthatwomenby
themillionsarebeingpushedoutofthehomeintothefactories,and
evenintothemines.AlmosthalfofallAmericanwivesarenowinthe
laborforce.Feministscallthisliberation.Theybragaboutthehigher
andhigherpercentageofwomeninthelaborforce.
Therationalebehindthepushforaffirmativeactionforwomenisthat
anoppressivesociety,businessdiscrimination,andtheoutdated
stereotypeofwomaninthehomearetoblamewhenagivencategory
ofemploymentincludesfewerthan50percentwomen.Affirmative
actionprogramsaredesignedtoforceemployers,throughfederaland
financialpenalties,toincreaseartificiallythepercentageofwomen
employedineachjobclassification,especiallythe"nontraditional.”
ThefourthannualAmericanFamilyReport,anationalsurvey
conductedbyLouisHarrisandAssociatesforGeneralMills,has
plentyofevidencetoindicatethatmostwomenhavenotchosenfulltimelaborforceparticipationastheirlife'sgoal.Thesurveyresults
showthat39percentofwomenprefertoworkonlyathome,and
another14percentprefertodoonlyvolunteerwork,makingatotalof
53percentwhodonotwanttobeinthelaborforceatall.Another32
percentwantonlypart-timework,leavingonly12percentofall
Americanwomenwhowantfull-timeemploymentinthelaborforce.
Inresponsetothequestion"Doyouthinkthetrendtowardboth
parentsworkingoutsidethehomehashadagenerallypositive,a
generallynegative,ornoeffectatallonfamilies?",52percentof
Americansanswered"generallynegative.”
Inthedaysbeforethefederalgovernmenttooksuchanactiverolein
18
regulatingemployment,oneman'swagecouldsupportawifeand
family.Now,withhightaxesandhighinflation,itseemstotake
eightyhoursofworkaweektosupportafamily.Insteadofprogress,
thisjustmightberegressiontoanineteenth-centuryeconomicsystem.
1982
PhyllisSchlaflysNationalAnthem
Oneofthetoptenrockrecordsof1982was"I'veNeverBeenTo
Me,"sungby"Charlene"andissuedbyMotownRecords.Thereby
hangsanamazingtaleofideology,timing,socialtrends,and
censorship.
Thesongwasfirstreleasedin1976.Itstimingwaswrong,andit
didn'tcatchon.Then,inearly1982,adiscjockeyplayeditonenight,
andallhisphonelinesimmediatelylitupwithenthusiasticcallers.The
songbecameanovernightsensation.
Inthefirsttwostanzas,Charlenesingsaboutherexoticlifeenjoying
sexualencountersallovertheworld.Shewaslivinginaliberated
"paradise"onearth.Whenshe"ranoutofplacesandfriendlyfaces"
intheUnitedStates,shecontinuedhertravelstoGreeceandMonte
Carlobecauseshe"hadtobefree."Asshesingsit,"I'vebeen
undressedbykings,andI'veseensomethingsthatawomanain't
s'posedtosee.”
Butallthatsexuallyliberated"paradise"didn'tmakeherhappy.She's
alonenow,andshe's"cryingforunbornchildrenthatmighthave
mademecomplete."Hencetherefrainofthesong,"I'vebeento
paradise,butI'veneverbeentome.”
ThesonggivesCharlene'sadvicetothe"discontentedmotherandthe
regimentedwife"whofantasizesabouttheexcitinglifeshedoesn't
have.Charlenewishessomeonehadtoldherthetruthaboutreallove
beforeshewastedheryouthon"lies.”
19
Anyonewhohasbeenwatchingthelifestylesectionsofmetropolitan
newspapersandnationalmagazinesknowsthatstay-at-home
motherhoodnowis"in"—especiallyforwomenintheirthirtiesand
fortieswhohavediscoveredthatthecalendariscatchingupwiththem
andthereismoretolifethanjusthavingawell-payingcareer.
Butthisrocktunedeliversanevenmorepowerfulmessage.It
impliesthathavingababyisnecessarytomakeawoman"complete."
Evenmoreremarkable,itsaysthatreal"truth"isnotonlyinhavinga
baby,butinlovingandlivingwithonlyoneman.
Foryears,teenagegirlshavebeentaughttheopposite.Througha
combinationofpeerpressure,classroomsexcourses,x-andR-rated
movies,suggestivetelevisionprograms,softpornliterature,androck
music,they'vebeentaughtthatsexwithanypartnerisOKifyoufeel
goodaboutit,thathousewivesleaddullandunrewardinglivesand
thatfulfillmentforwomenmeansliberationfromhome,husband,
family,andchildren.Now,atlast,youngwomenarehearingabout
thejoysofahusbandandchildrenfromarockrecord.Timessurely
havechanged.
But,waitaminute;there'smoretothisstory.Assoonas"I'veNever
BeenToMe"becameahitsong,liberalsandfeministsfeltthreatened
byitsclearpro-familymessage,andtheysetouttosilenceit.
ColumnistRichardCohenwaxedindignantaboutitinthe
WashingtonPostHewasupsetbecause"thependulumisswinging
back"tomotherhood.Hesaidthesongoughttobecalled"thePhyllis
Schlaflynationalanthem,"concludingthatthesong'spopularity
provesthata"reactionhassetin"tothefeministmovement,whichhe
supportsbecauseit"shatteredstereotypes"and"liberatedwomen.”
Nowcomesthemostinterestingpartofthisstoryaboutthis
20
"motherhoodsong."Afteritbecamesopopularanditsmessageso
clear,MotownRecordsaccommodatedliberalsbyissuingacensored
versionof"I'veNeverBeenToMe."Ofcourse,Motownandthe
radiostationsdidn'tusetheword"censored";theycalleditthe"edited
version.”
Anyonewhotunedinonadultrockradiostationsduringthefirsthalf
of1982couldhearthesongwithinacoupleofhoursoflistening.
Somestationsplayedtheoriginalversionandsomeplayedthe
censoredversion.CensoredwasthemiddlepartwhereCharlene
interruptshersingingtotalkstraighttothehousewifewhothinksshe
ismissingoutonliberatedliving:"Hey,youknowwhatparadiseis?
It'salie,afantasywecreateaboutpeopleandplacesaswelikethem
tobe.Butyouknowwhattruthis?It'sthatlittlebabyyou'reholding,
andit'sthatmanyoufoughtwiththismorning—thesameoneyou're
goingtomakelovewithtonight.That'struth;that'slove.”
"Censorship"isthecurrentchicsloganofliberalswhoaretryingto
intimidatepro-familyactivistswhoobjecttoobscenity,profanity,
blasphemy,immorality,andviolenceintextbooksandtelevision
programming.Theliberalsarelikethethiefwhotriestoconcealhis
crimebypointingtosomeoneelseandcrying"stop,thief."The
pressuregroupsagainstmotherhoodarethemostruthlesscensorsof
all.
1982
DoesMomHavetoWork?
ABC-TVandBarbaraWaltersarelobbyingforgovernment,instead
ofparents,toassumetheresponsibilityoftakingcareofbabies.That's
theconclusionwecandrawwhenABC'S20/20airedWhenMom
HasToWork,onFebruary6,1986.
Barbarasolemnlyannouncedthatadebateabout"whethermothers
21
shouldworkisnolongerrelevant"becausemostmothers"have"to
takeapaidjob.Shesaidthatonly10percentofmomsstayhomeany
more,andthatmostfamiliesneedtwopaychecks.Barbaradidn't
checkherfactscarefullyenough.Thelatestfiguresshowthatonly
halfofmotherswithchildrenunderagetwohavepaidjobs.Theother
halfarefull-timehomemakers,butBarbarapretendedtheydon'texist.
TheABCprogramshowedthreeemployedcouples,eachwithtwo
preschoolchildren.Barbaracommiseratedwiththemovertheir
problemswithhiredchildcare,theguiltthemothersfeel(shecalledit
the"pain"ofadeeplyfeltemotionalconflict),thewaythehusbands
feelneglected,thelonghoursofhardwork,andthestrainson
marriage.
Theprogramshowedhowtheparentsmustwakeupthechildrenat
5:30or6:00AMsotheycanbefedanddroppedoffatadaycare
centerbeforethemothersreporttotheirjobs.Thelittlechildren
lookedwoefullyunhappyatbeingforcedtoacceptthisunnatural
schedule.Theprogramwasobviouslydesignedtoarousesympathy
forthe"momwhohastowork,"butitevokedmoresympathyforthe
preschoolchildrenwhoweredroppedoffandpickedupeachdaylike
abagoflaundry.Onepatheticyoungstersaid,"Mommy,Iwishyou
didn'thavetowork.You'realwayssotired.”
Women'slibhasbeentellingusforyearsthatfathersshouldbe
supportiveoftheirwives'careersandwillingtodohalfthe
houseworkandbabytending.Indeed,thesethreehusbandswere
supportiveand
caring.ButwhenBarbaraaddedupthehours,thewiveswereputting
inaseven-hourdayofdomesticworkontopoftheirfull-timejobs,
whilethehusbandsweredoingonlyfourhoursadayofdomestic
work.
Thewivesfeltputuponbecausetheyhadtoolittlesleepandtoo
22
muchstress.Yetthehusbandsstillfeltneglectedbecausetheirwives
werealwayssotiredandfloppedintobedexhaustedat8:00PM.The
husbandsdiscreetlysharedtheircomplaintwiththenationwide
televisionaudiencethattheirwiveshadnotimeorenergyfor
romance.
Aftertheseprobinginvasionsoftheprivacyofthreeyoungfamilies,
Barbaratolduswhatwearesupposedtothinkaboutallthis.First,
sheberatedtheUnitedStatesforbeing"theonlyindustrialnation
withoutadaycarepolicy."Thensheproposedanambitiousaction
program.
Barbaratoldusthatweshouldmakehelpingthesecouples"a
nationalpriority."Andwhoarethe"we"?Well,shewantsthe
taxpayerstoprovidegoodall-daycareforpreschoolers,presumably
beginningininfancy,andshewantstheschoolstoprovide
babysittingservicesforschoolchildrenuntiltheirparentscancollect
themintheevening.Inaddition,shewantsthegovernmenttoforce
employerstoguaranteepaidmaternityleaveandgivemothers
"flexible"hours.Thatmeanschoosingtheirhourstoaccommodate
themselvesratherthantheiremployer.
ThereisonethingBarbaraWaltersdidn'ttellABCviewers.Eachof
thethreecoupleshasanannualincomebetween$50,000and
$57,000.Thisimportantfactblowsthewholeargumentthatthe
mothers"have"toworkandthattaxpayersoremployers"should"
subsidizechildcare.
Itisunfortunatethatthefeministmovementhastaughtyoungwomen
thattheyshouldputtheirowncareeraboveeveryothervalue
includingcaringfortheirownchildren,andthattheirtimeistoo
valuabletowasteonbeingafull-timemother.Thesemothershave
madetheirchoice,astheyhavearighttodoinafreesociety.Butthey
havenorighttoasktaxpayersortheirfellowemployeestofinance
thatchoice.
23
1986
BoysJustWanttoHaveGuns
Arecentarticlebyaleft-handedwritersummarizedthecenturies-old,
unreasonableandunfeelingdiscriminationthatsocietyimposedon
left-handedpersons.HetoldhowgrowingupintheNewYorkpublic
schoolsinthe1930sand1940smeantrepeatedwhacksfromteachers
whotriedtoforcehimtowritewithhisrighthand.
Thiswriterremindedusthatanti—left-handedbiasisenshrinedeven
inthelanguageofWesterncivilization.TheLatinwordforleft,
sinister,translatesto"evil"inEnglish.TheFrenchwordforleft,
gauche,means"crude"or"awkward"inEnglish.
Whenthemistakenbeliefthatschoolsshouldendeavortocorrectlefthandednesswasfinallyrelegatedtothejunkheapofquack
psychology,aremarkablefactemergedinU.S.statisticalannals.
Between1932and1970,therecordedpercentageofleft-handed
peoplerosefrom2to10percentofourpopulation.Sinceitis
incrediblethatthepercentageactuallyincreasedsodramatically,the
statisticscouldreflectanewwillingnessofsouthpawstoadmitthey
aredifferent,ortheanonymousbureaucrats'willingnesstoadmitthat
left-handednessisjustasnormalasright-handedness,orboth.
Modernscientific,medical,andpsychologicalopinionnowteaches
thatitiswrong—physicallyandpsychologically—forteacherstotry
toforceleft-handerstoberight-handers.Iwonderif,afewdecades
hence,writerswillcommentascondescendinglyonthepeculiar
pedagogicalpassionoffeministstoforceboystoabandontheir
boyishnessandgirlstoabandontheirgirlishness.
Thosewhohavenotkeptupwithtrendsintheclassroomwillbe
surprisedtolearnhowpervasiveisthispassion.Operatinglikea
censorshipgestapo,thefeministmovementhascombedprimarygrade
24
readers,schooltextbooks,andcareer-guidancematerialstoeliminate
anymentionofthenaturalgendertraitsofyoungsters.
Inthelate1970s,themajortextbookpublishers,suchasMacmillan
andMcGraw-Hill,published"guidelinesfortheeliminationof
sexism,"whichlistedthewords,illustrations,andconceptsthat
wouldhenceforthbecensoredoutofalltextbooks.Thisimpudent
intolerancegallopeduncheckedthroughschoolmaterials.
Yetdespitealltheattemptstoblurgenderidentityby,forexample,
showingpicturesofgirlsplayingwithsnakesandboysusinghair
spray,andeventoperverttheEnglishlanguagebyforcing
schoolchildrentousesuchannoyingpronounsashe/sheors/he,there
isnoevidencethathumannatureischanging.Theattempttochangeit
confusesyouthandfrustratesadults.
AcaseinpointisahilariousarticleintheWashingtonPostcalled
"BoysJustWanttoHaveGuns."ThePostwriteradmittedthather
three-year-oldson,andthesonsofallherpacifist-feminist-yuppie
friends,despitetheirparents'persistenteffortstobringthemupsexneutral(withouttoygunsortelevisionexceptSesameStreet),
neverthelessarenaturally,irrepressiblymale:boyish,aggressive,and
fascinatedbyguns.
Inaddition,shemoaned,thedaughtersof"whatusedtobethe
Berkeleyleft,"giventrucksandairplanes,stillgofordollsanddress
upwithjewelry."Theboysslugeachotherandthegirlspainttheir
fingernails.Wherearetheygettingthisstuff?",sheasks.
It'snotjustlittlegirlsandlittleboyswhorebelattheblurringof
genderidentity.ThemagazineWorkingWomanfeaturedanarticle
called"DoestheNewWomanReallyWanttheNewMan?"The
consensusinthisfeministmagazinewasafrustratedNo.Theauthor
complainedthat,whiletheNewManisnolongerpossessive,he's
25
alsonolongercommitted.So,warnstheauthor,theNewWoman
won'tfind"theclassicknightonthewhitecharger"andmayhaveto
settleforamanwhojustbenefitsfromherenergyandfollowsher
lead.But,theauthorruefullyconcludes,"herheaviestliabilityisa
likelihoodofwindingupalone.”
Eventhegreetingcardindustryhasdiscoveredthis.Acurrentcardin
thestoresshowsapictureofawomanrecitingthelyricsofafavorite
feministthemesong:"Iamwoman—strong,invincible..."Insidethe
cardwastherestofthesentence:"andlonely.”
1986
ANightattheOpera
MyfirstandonlyvisittotheMetropolitanOperainNewYorkCity
wastohearBizet'sCarmen.ItwasanexperienceIlookedforwardto
—andoneIshallneverforget.
Themostmemorablepartofthelongeveningwasn'tanyofthe
famousarias.Itwasthecurtaincallsthatcameclosetomidnight.It
wasquiteremarkabletoseeandhearthatelegantlyattiredaudienceof
beautifulpeoplebooinglikeangryfansatabaseballgame.
TheybooedMariaEwing'sCarmen.Mostofalltheybooedthe
directorandtheothersresponsibleforthisnewproductionofoneof
themostpopularofallgrandoperas.Halftheaudienceintheless
expensiveseatshadlongsincevotedwiththeirfeetandgonehome.
Butthepeopleintheone-andtwo-hundred-dollarseatsstayedtothe
bitterendtoenjoythepleasureofaudiblymanifestingtheir
displeasure.
ItcoststheMetatleast$500,000toputonanewproduction,eithera
newoperaoranewlystagedandnewlycostumedoldopera.The
musicofBizet'sCarmenisaperennialfavorite;theorchestrawas
perfect;thesetswerestunningandappropriate;thesingerswere
26
adequate.
Buttheaudiencedidn'tjustsay"ho-hum"or"we'veheardthatsong
before."Theywererevveduptoafrenzyofbooing.Withacenturyof
experienceinoperas,showmanship,andaudiences,howcouldthe
Metstagesuchafiasco?TheonlyexplanationIcancomeupwithis
thatthisproductionofCarmenwasdirectedandcostumedbymen
andwomenwhodon'tunderstandhumannature.Theydon't
understandwhatattractsamantoawomanandthechemistrythat
happensbetweenthem.
Carmenisthestoryofasaucytartwhoattractsmenashoneyattracts
flies.Fullofsonganddance,sheflirtswiththesoldiers,playsaround
withDonJose,whofallspassionatelyinlovewithher,andthen
dumpshiminfavorofahandsometoreador.Bizet'splotisrealistic
andtruetohumannature.Carmenknowshowtoattractaman,any
man,allmen.Butsheherselfgoesnotforapliableloverwhocanbe
manipulatedlikeamarionetteonastring,butforarealman.Inher
societyinSeville,Spain,arealmanwasabullfighter.
ThedirectoroftheMet's1986Carmen,SirPeterHall,transformed
thisflashydameintoawomanwhowastoughandsullen,depressing
anddowdy.Themanbehindmemumbled,"Sheactslikeamanicdepressive.”
Carmen'sbodylanguagewaswrong:shehungherhead,slouched,
turnedherbacktoeverybody,andassumedmasculineandcontrived
positionsofbody,arms,andlegs.Carmen'scostumeswerewrong:
somber,slovenly,andeccentric.Inoneact,sheworeahatsoonlya
fewinthefrontrowscouldseeherface.Sheportrayedapersonality
thattheNewYorkTimescalled"apoutyteenager,determinednotto
ingratiateherselfwithusinanyway,"andshesurelysucceeded.By
herdeathscene,theTimesadded,"itwashardtocarewhethershe
livedordied.”
27
There'snothingthematterwithinnovationappliedtotheateroropera
ifitisanimprovementorevenifitmakesagoodshow.Thereis
nothingwrongwithportrayingafemalecharacterwhoisnasty,
sullen,andmannish.Butyoucan'tshowsuchacharacteras
irresistibletomen,becausesheisn't.
AsItravelthecollegelecturecircuit,Imeethundredsofyoungmen
andwomenwhowanttohaveamaturerelationshipwithsomeoneof
theoppositesex,buttheydon'tunderstandhowtodothat.Many
youngwomenhavenotcultivatedafemininepersonalitythatcan
makeamanfeellikeaman.Manyyoungmenaresoconfusedabout
women,uncertainabouthowtobehave,andunabletomake
decisions,thattheycan'tmakeawomanfeellikeawoman.
Androgynoustrendsinliterature,entertainment,andeducationhave
disadvantagedasignificantsegmentofyoungAmericansintheir
twentiesandthirtiessothattheydon'tknowhowtoattractaspouse
andcultivateamutualandenduringcommitmenttomarriageand
family.That'stoobad,becausetheyaremissingoutonthegreatest
joysoflife.
1986
Ms.DiscoversHumanNature
ImustconfessthatIneverwouldhavereadthemagazineiftheairline
hadn'tprovidedfreecopiesasIboardedtheshuttleatLaGuardia
Airport.ButasIthumbedthepagesofGloriaSteinem'sMs.
magazine,waitingformyplanetotakeoff,Iwasfascinatedatthe
changesinthismagazinesinceIlastreadit.
Fourteenyearsago,themagazinefeaturedpre-marriagecontracts
obliginghusbandstodohalfthedishesandthediapers,and
housewives'declarationsofindependencefromessentialhousework.
Today,therearen'tanyhusbandsorbabiestocomplainabout.
28
Thefirstarticlethatcaughtmyeye,"LearningtoFlirtat37,"wasthe
confessionofamaturefeministwithagoodjobandanapartmentof
herown,whogrewupinthe1960sbelievingthatflirtingwas
"Victorianinthemidstofthesexualrevolution."Afterallthoseyears
ofbuyingherownflowers,openingherowndoors,andcooking
dinnerforherselfaftergoingtothemoviesalone,sheactually
answeredanadinthelocalnewspaperheadlined"LearntoFlirt.”
Shecalledthenumberlisted,andtheflirtingteacherconvincedher
thatevenafeministcanflirtifsheusestime-testedarts.Theteacher
taughtthisfeministsuchsimpletechniquesas:docross,uncross,and
recrossyourlegsbutdon'tcrossyourarms,anddoimitatethe
seductive
glancesonsoapoperasbutdon'tinitiateconversationsontoxicwaste
removal.
Nexttherewasatear-jerkerarticlebyafemaleauthorcommiserating
withafriendwhowasstillmourningabreak-upwithherlive-in
boyfriendayearafterithappened.Ashetoldherwhenhecasually
signedoffatwo-yearrelationship,he"wasn'tlooking,itjust
happened;sodon'ttakeitpersonally.”
Theauthortheninterviewedeighty-sevenvictimsofbreakupswith
live-inlovers.Shefoundthattheaveragedurationofthese
extramaritalrelationshipswastwoyears.Thetypicalbreak-upoccurs
whenthemanwantsout;butinsteadofsayingso,hemakessignals
thatthethrillisgoneandleavesittothewomantodefinethe
relationshipasended.
Iturnedtoanarticlecalled"StarWars"but,alas,itwasn'tabout
RonaldReagan'santi-missilesystem.Itwasabouthowmenfeel
threatenedwhenwomen'scareersmovefasterandhigherthantheir
own.Theillustrationshowedthemanwithavacuumsweeperwhile
29
thewomangoesoutwithherbriefcase;theunhappylookonthe
man'sfacewasasuresignthathewon'tbestickingaroundthat
householdverylong.
Anotherarticleconfessedthatthemaintopicofconversationamong
brainy,successfulwomenisthe"manshortage."Theauthor
acknowledgedpainfullythat"after15-plusyearsofconsciousnessraisingandgeneralfeministhell-raising,mostmiddle-classwomen
whoaresingleandheterosexualstillconfinetheirsearchformatesto
menwhoarewellupscaleoftheminincomeandstatus.”
Feministssincethe1970shavebeentryingtoforceusintoagenderneutralsocietyandbringaboutsex-rolereversals.Theirideologyis
basedonthenotionthatgenderdifferencesarecausedbystereotyped
educationandanoppressivemale-dominatedsociety.
Soitwasfascinatingtoreadthearticlecalled"DesignerGenes"
whichadmitsthatmenandwomenarenaturally,biologically
different.Itproposesthat"acommitteeofreputablebiologists"
engagein"genetic
manipulation"tochangehumannaturesothatmenandwomenwill
haveanequalmotivation,desire,andenjoymentofthesexact.
Therewereeven,mirabiledictu,adsfordiamondengagementrings,
make-up,andsheerpantyhose.Itlookslike"voicesfromthepostfeministgeneration,"proclaimedthreeyearsagobytheNewYork
TimesMagazine,haveeveninvadedMs.magazine.
1986
LosersinthesexualRevolution
Whew!AfterwatchingABC-TV'Smarathondocumentarycalled
AftertheSexualRevolutiononJuly30,1986,I'mgladI'mnotpartof
theSexualRevolution!ABC-TVshowedthreedreadfullydreary
hoursofunhappywomen,workingharderbutenjoyinglifeless
30
becausetheirpersonalrelationshipswithmenandchildrenareso
unsatisfactory.
Oneafteranother,theycriedtheircomplaintsintothecamera.We
sawsuccessfulcareerwomenwhomadebusinesstheirfirstpriority
andnowhavediscoveredthattheirbiologicalclockhastickedon,and
theyhavepassedupthechancetohaveafamily.Onewomancoped
withherdilemmabydeliberatelybearingachildwhosefatheris
marriedtoanotherwoman.Anotherwasbearingafatherlesschildvia
artificialinsemination.Athirdchoseatwice-divorcedhusbandwith
hisready-madefamily.
Wesawthewomaninherlatethirties,fightingbacktears,saying
"thewomen'srevolutionwaswonderful—butIwantsomeonetolove
andbelovedby."Weheardaboutthe"fearofbeingalone"andthe
fivethousanddatingservicesthathaveprofitedfromtheproblemsof
lonelinessandisolation.
Wesawwhatissupposedtobetheprototypepost-feministbluecollarcouple:awomanwhoisasubwaymaintenanceworkeranda
man
whoisherhousehusband.Sorry,ABC,yourprovincialismis
showing;thatlifestylewillneverplayinPeoria.
Eventhewomanwhohasasuccessfulbusinessplusahusbandand
onechild(whosheadmittedcamesecondinherlife)wasgriping
becauseshehadtofightforwhatshehadachievedandhadtokeep
heremotionsundercontrol.Ithadn'toccurredtoherthatsuccessful
mendothosethings,too.Thentherewasthewomanwhodidn'twant
apromotionbecauseitwouldmeanworkinglongerhoursandno
lunchbreak.
Wesawthevictimsoftheeasydivorcelawssoeagerlypromotedby
thefeministmovementinthe1970s.Intruth,thoseeasydivorcelaws
31
liberatedhusbandstotradeinafaithfulwifeoftwentyyearsand
enjoyayoungerwoman.
Wesawthemiddle-agedwomanwhoreturnedtothelaborforceand
wastryingtocajoleorshameherhusbandintosharingthehousework
becausesheissotiredattheendoftheday.Poorguy—hetriedto
bakethefrozendinnerinitspaperbox,andthedialsontheautomatic
washerwerebeyondhisgrasp.
WeheardtheStanfordprofessorsaythatwomenarenotbetteroff
thanin1959becausewomenarenowworkinglongerandharder.
"Themorewomenachieveintheircareer,"weweretold,"thehigher
theirchanceofdivorce.”
ABCcouldn'tresisttheopportunitytosermonize.PeterJennings
startedoffwiththefalsefeministdogmathat,priortothewomen'slib
movement,Americansocietywas"predicatedonwomen'sinferior
status."BetsyAaron'spreachingfortheSexualRevolutionwas
particularlyobnoxious.Sheproclaimedthat"theage-oldideaof
virginity"isout,that"divorceisnolongeradirtyword,"andthat"the
stay-at-homehousewifeisbecomingpartofourhistory."She
observedthat"insteadofonelifelongmarriage,nowit'softena
merry-go-roundofmarriageanddivorce."That'scalled"serial
marriages.”
ABC'ssolutionfortheseemotionallyconfusedwomenisforour
governmenttoimitatethepoliciesofcountriesthathavewarehoused
childrenintax-fundedinstitutionsinordertokeeptheirmothers
employedinthelaborforce.ABCscrolledthelistofcountrieswhose
policiesweareadvisedtocopy:theSovietUnion,EastGermany,
Rumania,Hungary,Bulgaria,China,andNicaragua.
ABC'sdocumentaryremindedusagainandagainthattheSexual
Revolutionis"heretostay."Butifenoughwomenseetheprogram,
32
theRevolution'sdayscanbenumbered.Thepersonaltestimoniesof
somanyunhappywomencryoutthatthepricetheypaidtojointhe
SexualRevolutionwastoohigh.
1986
Post-feministCareerWomen
Althoughwehearadailydrumbeatfromthenationalmediatellingus
thattheAmericansocialstructureisnowpermanentlystratifiedwith
mothersinthelaborforceandchildrenindaycarecenters,acareful
monitoringofnewspapersrevealsplentyofevidencethatthisisnota
satisfactorypattern.Therearetworeasons:mothersdon'tlikeitand
childrendon'tlikeit.
Take,foroneexample,afeaturestoryinaChicagonewspaperabout
SusanAnderson,asuccessfultelevisionanchorwhochuckedherjob
inordertostayhomewithhertwochildren.Inherownbylinearticle,
shedescribedhowsheagonizedbetweencareerandchildren,and
howshemadethechoiceshedid.
SusanAndersonhadinvestedfifteenyearsinasmashingly
glamorouscareeratoneofthelargesttelevisionstationsinoneofthe
largestmarketsinthecountry.Shewouldfaceasignificantdropin
herlivingstandardsifshegaveuphersix-figuresalary.Sheknew
thatbroadcastingisaverycompetitive,youth-orientedbusiness.It
hadbeenhard
enoughtogethiredinhermid-twenties,butitwouldbelotstougherif
shedroppedoutandtriedtogobackinhermid-forties.
Sheevenhadasupportivehusbandwhowaswillingtocutbackhis
legalpracticesohecouldspendmoretimeathome.Hewasquite
willingtolivewithanydecisionSusanmade.Butthen,shelooked
aheadintothefutureandthoughtofthemanywhohavewishedthey
hadspentmoretimewiththeirchildren.Hasanyoneeverlamentedon
hisdeathbed,"IwishI'dspentmoretimeonbusiness?”
33
Thepunchlineofherarticlewas,"Ijustcouldnotshakeanalmost
primalfeeling.Itwasn'tsomuchthatIthoughtmykidsneededme
morethanthejoballowed,butthatIneededthemmore.”
Now,foracontrast,lookata"pieceofmymind"articlefromthe
JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation.Itwaswrittenbya
womansurgeonwhomadetheoppositedecision—tostickwithher
career.Butshewasn'thappywithherchoice.
Dr.MargaretLevywrote,"WhenIwasamedicalstudent,Iwas
naiveenoughtobelievethatIcoulddoeverythingIwantedtodo."
Shetriedtohavearewardingcareerinmedicine,whichsheloves,and
atthesametimeraiseafamily."Letmetellyou,onceandforall,"
writesDr.Levy,"thatthisisneitherphysicallynorpsychologically
possible.Takemywordforit."Whateverarrangementthecareer
womanmakesforherchildren,shesays,"callitanythingbutMom.”
Dr.Levyhastwoyoungsons.Whenshelookedatherfriends'
"daycarekids,"whomshedescribedas"absolutelypathetic,nomatter
howgoodthedaycareis,"sheknewshehadtohaveanother
alternative.Sincehercareertrackasasurgeonofferedabetter
lifestyle,financiallyspeaking,thanherhusband's,hegallantlystayed
homeforeightyearstoprovideparentalcare.
ButDr.Levystillisn'thappy.Likemostemployedmothers,she
admitstobeinginaconstantstateofexhaustionandfrustration.Most
ofall,sheadmitstobeing"envious"ofallthetimeherhusbandhas
had
withthechildren.Here'showDr.Levydescribeshercurrent
situation:"Iamnotaliberatedwoman.Iamincarceratedinaworld
andlifestylefarmorecomplexandcomplicatedthanmygreatgrandmother,raisingherelevenchildreninanapartmentintheBronx,
couldhaveimagined.”
34
TheWallStreetJournal,usuallyaboosteroffeministideology,
reportedthat"asmoreworkingparentsentrusttheirinfantsto
daycare,someresearchersarewarningthatdaycareattooearlyanage
maypsychologicallyharmachild.”
TheJournalinterviewedProfessorJayBelsky,aPennsylvaniaState
Universitypsychologist,whoserecentresearchshowsthatinfant
daycareunderminesachild's"senseoftrust,ofsecurity,oforderin
theworld."WhatmakesBelskymorenewsworthythanthemillions
ofmotherswhohavealwaysknownthatfactisthat,inthe1970s,he
helpedforgeanacademicconsensusthatdaycaregenerallybenefitsa
child.
ProfessorBelskyannouncedhischangeofmindatanAmerican
AcademyofPediatricsmeetingin1985.Henowsaysthatvarious
studiesshowtoddlersindaycaretobeinsecure,moreanxious,
aggressive,hyperactive,andmorelikelytocryandmisbehaveatages
nineandten.
1987
MakingHeroesoutofRapists
Twentyyearsago,thefeministsdevelopedthetheorythatrapehas
nothingtodowithsex,thatitisinsteadanactofviolence,evidenceof
malehatredandaggressivenesstowardwomen.Maybethisstrange
notionisthereasonwhywehaven'theardanyoutcryfromfeminists
aboutthegenreofrapist-heroesontelevisionsoapoperas.
I'lladmitIdidn'tdiscoverthisproblemmyself,asIamnowatcherof
soaps.ItwasdiscoveredbyTVGuide.Themagazinecaughtmyeye
asIwentthroughthecheckoutcounteratthesupermarket.AtfirstI
thoughtthearticlecalled"Let'sStopTurningRapistsintoHeroes"
wouldbesomekindofNationalEnquirersensationalism.Butalas,
thearticlewasforreal.Itdescribedaseriesoftelevisionsoapsin
35
whichrapistsbecameheroessoonaftertheircrimes.Letmerecitethe
specificssoyouwillknowIdidn'tmakethisup.
ThefirstrapistlistedshowedhisfacetenyearsagoonABC'S
GeneralHospital"whenLukerapedLaura,whoeventuallyfellinlove
withandmarriedhim.TheonlyothertimeIeverheardofsucha
disgustingscenariowasyearsagoinAynRand'sFountainhead,andI
stoppedreadingthatnovelwhenIfiguredouthowtheplotwas
unfolding.Whereasrapeis(orshouldbe)judgedacrime,General
Hospitalmadeitlooklikeanactoflove.Lauraevenreferredtothe
incidentas"thefirsttimewemadelove."Thereapparentlywassome
flapfromwomenwhenthissequenceairedseveralyearsago,but
therehasbeennoparticularoppositiontotherape-romancesofrecent
years.
OnABC'SDynasty,AdamrapedKirbyinoneseasonandproposed
toherinthenext.Theideathatawomanwouldmarryherrapistisnot
onlyabsurd,itisdownrightdangerous.Itgivesdocudrama
authenticitytowhathasbeencalledthe"rapemyth,"namely,the
notionthatwomensecretlywanttoberaped.OnABC'Snowdefunct
Ryan'sHope,RogerunsuccessfullytriedtoforceMaggieintobed,
andtwoyearslatertheyweremarried.
ABC'sAllMyChildrenhasacharacternamedRosswho,ina
drunkenrage,rapedhisfather'sfiancée,Natalie.Forthiscrime,he
wenttoprison;somuch,sogood.Butheimmediatelybrokeoutof
jailandthenbecameahero,starringinallsortsofheroicescapades.
CBS'sAstheWorldTurnspresentsJosh,anothercharacterwho
turnsfromrapisttohero,verysympathetically.No,hedoesn'tmarry
hisvictim;insteadhisvictim'ssisterfallsinlovewithJosh,andthe
victimandtheirmotherbothaccepttherelationship.
Allthesestorylineshavedesensitizedviewerstothecrimeofrape.
Theypresentrapeastheroutetosuccessandgoodsex.Acampaign
36
togetthesoapstoceaseanddesistfromsuchanti-womangarbage
wouldbeagoodprojectforthefeminists.It'snotonlyinsultingly
sexistbutsociallyrepugnant.ButI'mnotholdingmybreathbecause
thefeministshavesuchawarpedideaofwhat"sexism"is.They
wouldprefertocontinueattackingas"sexist"ahusbandwhoputshis
wifeonapedestalandtreatsherlikeaqueen.
1989
fortunefavorstheTrophyWife
Fortunemagazinejoinedthecabaltryingtomakeno-faultdivorcea
socialgoodbypublishingacoverstorycalled"TheCEO'SSecond
Wife."ThearticleproveswhatGeorgeGilderwroteinhislandmark
bookMenandMarriage,namely,that"theonlyundeniablewinnersin
thesexualrevolutionarepowerfulmen.Underaregimeofsexual
liberation,somemencanfulfilltheparamountdreamofmostmen
everywhere;theycanhavethenubileyearsofmorethanoneyoung
woman.”
TheFortunearticlepresentsalongsuccessionofCEOSofmajor
corporationswhodivorcedtheirwivesofseveraldecadesandmarried
flashy,trimbabeswhohelpthemspendtheirmoneywhileconsorting
withtheotherrichandpowerful.Thearticleconvenientlyincludesa
listofnamesandagesofsomefortyCEOSandtheirsecond(orthird
orfourth)wives.Theessentialrequirements,accordingtoFortune,
aretobethin,expensivelygroomed,andhaveyourowncareer.
Fortunesarticleiscertainlynotunbiasedreporting.Itreekswiththe
editorialmessagethatinthe1980s"divorceisfullyrespectable,"and
theCEO"withtheold,nice,matronlywifeislookeddownon.He's
seen
asnotkeepingupappearances.Whycan'thedobetterforhimself?"
Theup-and-comingCEOnotonlydoesnothavetofeelguilty;taking
asecondwifeasa"trophy"isthe"in"thingtodo.
37
Nowheredoesthearticleaskthequestion,IftheCEOdoesn'tliveup
tohismarriagecontract,whyshouldanybodybelievehiswordon
anythingelse?Nowheredoesthearticlecriticizetheuntrustworthiness
ofamanwhotreatshiswifelikehisautomobile,thatis,whenhetires
ofher,hetradesherinforayoungermodel.No,instead,Fortune
justifiesthepracticeofpowerfulCEOSindulgingtheirdesireswith
"trophywives."It'soneoftheperksofsuccess,likeacompanyjet.
Fortuneevenhelpsthefaithlesshusbandtosalvehisconscience.
Sometimes,Fortunesaysinextralargetype,dumpinghiswifeand
marryingayoungerwoman"evenresultsinhisbecomingamore
consideratemanager.”
TheFortunewritersapparentlyhadnodifficultyinterviewingalong
seriesofsecondwivesandphotographingthemintheirexpensive
clothesastheyteachanotherwoman'shusbandhowto"buildanew
life"withoutchildren.Someofthesecondwivesevenrevealedhow
theyconnivedtogetthemarriedCEOtosuccumbtotheirwiles.
Inhisessayontheconsequencesofsuchasocialsystem,George
Gilderaccuratelysaysthattherichandpowerfulmanwhodoesthis
"isnolesseffectivelyapolygamistthanifhehadmaintaineda
harem."Oureasydivorcelaws,adoptedunderpressurefromthe
women'sliberationmovementduringthe1970s,haveenabledone
spouse—withouttheconsentoftheother—tosay"Idivorcethee"
threetimes(asIslamiclawallows)andthenbefreetolivewithanew
partner.
Thevictimsofthissystemarethecast-offwiveswhogrowoldalone
whentheirhusbandsleaveandremarry.Betweentheagesofthirtyfiveandsixty-five,thereare50percentmoredivorcedorseparated
womenthandivorcedorseparatedmen.Middle-agedandolder
womendonotoftenmarryyoungmen.
38
Gildersaysthat"asocietyisessentiallyanorganism,"andwecannot
simplyexpelafewmillionwomenfromthefabricoffamilies,
remarrytheirhusbandstoyoungerwomen,andquietlyreturntoour
businessasifnothinghadhappened."Whathashappened,"hesays,
"isamajorruptureinthesocialsystem,felteverywhere.”
1990
WorkingGirlExplodesafeministMyth
Totheanguishedmoansandgroansoffeminists,themovie
scriptwritershavestruckagain.Eveniftelevisionnewsdepartments,
editorialwriters,andcongressmenhaven'tdiscoveredit,screenwriters
(whoareonthecuttingedgeofculturaltrendsbecausetheymustlure
customersintothetheaters)knowthatweareinthepost-feministera.
In1987theygaveusFatalAttraction,inwhichtheheroinewasthe
full-timehomemaker,abeautifulpackageoffulfillmentandemotional
serenity,whilethevillainwasthefortyishcareerwoman,violently
desperatetopossessaman.ThatwasfollowedthesameyearbyBaby
Boom,inwhichahigh-poweredfemaleexecutiveabandonedsuccess
onthefasttrackinfavoroflifeinthecountrywithaman,ababy,and
home-based,kitchen-orientedwork.
WorkingGirlin1988dashedotherfeministdreamsanddelusions.It
showsthatwomeninbusinessarejustascutthroatasmenandthat
somesuccessfulwomenexecutivestreattheirfemalesubordinatesjust
asruthlesslyandoppressivelyasmenhavebeenallegedtodo.
Feministideologyteachesthatthebusinessandprofessionalworldis
amaleenclavewhosebordersareguardedbysexistmenprotecting
theirterritorybydiscriminatorysecurityasimpenetrableastheBerlin
Walloncewas.Eveniftalentedandablewomensomehowmakeit
ontotheplayingfield,thetheorygoes,theyareoppressedandkept
fromris
ingtothetopbya"glassceiling"(anewconceptinventedbyfeminist
39
ideologuesforsemanticwarfare).
Butthatisn'tall.Feministmythologyalsoteachesthat,"comethe
revolution,"whenwomenrisetopositionsofpowerandimportance
intheprofessionalworld,theentirebusinessenvironmentwillbe
different.Womenexecutiveswillbecompassionate,caring,
cooperative,andwillchangetheworkadayworldfrompowerseeking
topleasantries.
WorkingGirlshowsthat'tain'tso,afterall.WhentheIvyLeague
businessschoolgraduate,withherexpensiveclothesandaristocratic
ways,makesitintotheofficewithaviewoverManhattan,sheisjust
asdictatorial,dishonest,anddownrighthorridtoherfemale
underlingsasthearchetypicalmaleinfeministfairytales.
Toaddinsulttoinjury,thosewholendahelpinghandtothepoor
littleworkinggirlfromthewrongsideofthetracks,whoistryingto
liftherselfupbyherownbootstrapsbyattendingalowbrowbudget
collegeatnight,aresuccessfulmen!Theyaretheoneswhogiveher
thebigchancetoriseoutofthesecretarialpool,whereshewould
otherwisebedoomedtosufferthedailyindignityofbeingexpectedto
makecoffeeforherboss.
WorkingGirlthusconfirmedarevealingarticlepublishedintheNew
YorkTimesMagazineofJune26,1988,called"WhyFeminism
Failed."FeministjournalistMaryAnneDolan,whorosetobecome
editorofathenmajormetropolitannewspaper,theLosAngeles
Herald-Examiner,describedthefeministdreamthat"female"qualities
wouldproduceanewmanagementenvironmentwhichwould"make
mincemeatofthemalebusinessmodel."Underherdirection,the
Herald-Examinersoonboastedthefirst50-50male-femalemasthead
inthecountry.Womengotmostofthecovetedpositions,including
editoroftheeditorialpageandsportscolumnist.
Ms.Dolan,whoseownperspectiveisrevealedbyheradmissionthat
40
shewasanenthusiastofGeraldineFerraro'svicepresidential
campaign,wasvividinherdescriptionofwhathappened.Ms.Dolan
regretfully
admittedthatfiveyearslaterthosewomenhadtakenon"theworst
aspectsofthestereotypicalcorporateladder-climbingmale.Assoon
asmastheadstatuswasachieved,thepowergrabbegan."Shesaid
thatthesupposedly"wiseandmature"womenshehiredturnedoutto
be"brittle,conniving,power-hungryandunyielding.”
Ms.Dolanisnotparticularlyoptimisticthatthissituationwillchange
soon.Shenotedthat,whenoneofherwomanjournalistfriendsdied
youngfromcancerandtheyallgatheredatthefuneral,themost
power-grabbingfeministofthebunchsatinthepew"withthecurrent
andformerpublishersofthenewspaper,bothmen,oneateach
elbow.”
'Twaseverthus.Feminismisdoomedtofailurebecauseitisbased
onanattempttorepealandrestructurehumannature.
1990
busybodiesandCrybabies
Maybeitwasjustacoincidenceinaslownewsweek.Timemagazine
cameoutwithacoverstoryin1992headlined"Busybodies&
Crybabies:What'sHappeningtotheAmericanCharacter?",andthe
sameweekthefeministslaunchedamediainitiativecalledtheGlass
Ceiling.
Timedescribedhowthebusybodies,thoseself-appointed,
overbearingwardensofbehaviorandpoliticalcorrectness,are
infectingAmericansocietywithanastyintolerance.Pittedagainstthe
busybodies,accordingtoTime,arethecrybabies,thosewhoposition
themselvesasvictims,blamingeverybodyexceptthemselvesfortheir
problems.
41
Thepeddlersofthisnewindustrycalledvictimologyarguethatevery
plight,condition,ormomentarysetbackisnotamattertobesolvedby
individualeffort,butisasocialproblem.Thevictims'"greatesttalent,"
accordingtoTime,istheabilitytohandoutguilt,andindeedthey
areadeptatusingeverytoolofmoderncommunicationandcourtsof
lawtodumptheblameonothers.
Agoodexampleofthecrybabieswasarecentop-edpieceinthe
NewYorkTimeswrittenbyayoungwomancomplainingthat,
althoughsheis"young,urban,professional,literate,respectable,
intelligentandcharming,"sheisunemployed.Sherealizesthatplenty
ofjobsareavailable,butshethinksitis"absurd"thatsheshouldtake
ajob(suchastypist)beneathherexpectations,sosheandher
unemployedpeershave"bouncedcheckstokeepourselvesinoxford
shirtsandAnnTaylordresses."Sheadds,"Weexpectrewardsand
recognition.”
Busybodiesandcrybabiescooperatewitheachothertoachievetheir
goals.Thebureaucraticbusybodieswhowanttousethepowerof
governmenttodirectourlivesalwaysneednewgroupsofvictimsin
ordertorationalizeexpandingtheirregulatoryturfandspendingmore
ofthetaxpayers'money,andthecrybabiesarealwaysgladtohave
governmentanointthemvictims.
TheGlassCeilinginitiativeisagoodexampleofhowbusybodies
andcrybabiesworkintandem.Thecrybabiesarethefeministswho
thinktheyshould,attheveryleast,bevicepresidentsofFortune500
corporations,andthebusybodiesaretheirpalsinmediaand
governmentwhowanttouseaffirmativeactiontoplacethemthere.
Thefeministsareforevercryingabouthow"artificialbarriers"
interferewiththeirsuccessinthelaborforce.Butthechiefbarrieris
notartificialbuttheresultofwomen'sownchoices.TheYankelovich
surveyfoundthatamajorityofwomen(56percent)wouldquittheir
42
jobspermanentlyifmoneywerenotafactor—adramaticshiftin
opinionfromthepreviousyear.
Thetypical1990swomanwantsthemommytrack,notthefasttrack.
That'swhywearehavingaboominhome-basedemploymentandin
birthstowomenintheirthirtiesandforties.Reachingthetopechelons
ofbigcorporationsrequirestwentytothirtyyearsofsixty-toeighty
hourworkweeks,extraordinarymotivation,andcommitmenttoa
lifetimeinthelaborforce.Themajorityofwomendonotmakethat
choice.
1992
ThefeministIdentityCrisis
ThefeministmovementdefineditselfinNovember1977atthe
federallyfinancedNationalConferenceoftheCommissionon
InternationalWomen'sYear(IWY).Gracingtheplatformwerethree
firstladies:RosalynnCarter,BettyFord,andLadyBirdJohnson.
Participatingwerealltheleadersofthewomen'sliberationmovement.
TheseincludedBellaAbzugaschairman,GloriaSteinem,theheadof
theNationalOrganizationforWomen(NOW),theheadofthe
Women'sPoliticalCaucus,theheadofERAmerica(thelobbying
groupfortheEqualRightsAmendment),theheadoftheGayTask
Force,thesponsoroftheERAintheSenate,andthesponsorofthe
ERAintheHouseofRepresentatives.Thepoliticalbuttonmost
frequentlywornbythedelegatesread"Awomanwithoutamanis
likeafishwithoutabicycle.”
Withfivemilliondollarsoffederalfundstospend,theconference
passedtwenty-fiveaction-orientedresolutions.Thefour"hotbutton"
issues(Newsweek'sterm)wereratificationoftheEqualRights
Amendment,government-fundedabortion,lesbianprivilegestobe
recognizedwiththesamedignityashusbandsandwives,and
universalfederaldaycare,whichTimemagazineestimatedwouldcost
twenty-fivebilliondollarsayear.
43
Thepublicitythatthenationalmediagavethisfeministextravaganza
provedcounterproductive:themorethepublicsawofthefeminists
andheardoftheirdemands,thelesstheylikedthem.Thefeminists
neverwonanotherERAvictoryafterIWY,thoughERAwas
subsequentlyvotedonatleasttwenty-fivetimesinlegislaturesandin
referenda.
Thefeministstriedtoredefinethemselvesin1992underthebanner
"TheYearoftheWoman,"withHillaryRodhamClintonextollingthe
"politicsofmeaning."Butinthe1994elections,feministcandidates
ofbothpartiesweretrouncedwhileahalfdozenattractive,
conservative,pro-lifeRepublicanwomenwerenewlyelectedto
Congress.
Thesteadyriseofthepro-familymovementoverthelasttwodecades
hasgivenfeminismaterribleidentitycrisis.Feminismhasnohappy
rolemodels.Itsideologyissterileanditsspokespersonsarebitter.In
aspecialissuedatedFall1990entitled"Women:TheRoadAhead,"
Timemagazineconcededthat"Thefeministlabelisviewedwith
disdainandalarm;thenameofGloriaSteinemisutteredasan
epithet.”
Newspapersduringthe1990swerefullofstorieswithheadlines
suchas"Superwomangoeshome,""Workingmothersjilttheirjobs
forhomeandfamily,""Youngwomentradejobsformarriage,"and
"Returnofthesolebreadwinnerasfastest-growingfamilyunit."OnethirdofpreschoolchildrennowliveinanOzzie-and-Harrietfamily.
Theverynotionofa"mommytrack"wasdenouncedbyfeminists
whenitwassuggestedbyFeliceSchwartzina1989Harvard
ManagementReview,butithasnowbecomearespectablecareer
optionforsmartwomen.TheRobertHalfemploymentagency
reportedthat82percentofprofessionalwomenpreferacareerwith
44
flexiblehoursandslowercareeradvancement.Whereas52percentof
mothersareemployed,only13percentwanttobe.
Demographersarespeculatingaboutthecausesofthesechanges:
lowerinterestratesonhomes,increasedincometaxes,thehighcosts
ofmaintainingasecondjob(car,wardrobe,restaurants,andthelike),
daycarediseases,andtheopportunitiesfortelecommunicationinthe
home.
Humannaturejustmightbeafactor,too.Exceptfortheunfortunate
womenwhowerecaughtupinthefeministfoolishnessofthe1970s,
mostwomendon'twanttobeliberatedfromhome,husband,family,
andchildren.
TheProvidenceJournalpublishedathree-pageanalysiscalled"The
FadingofaMovement."ItquotedtheconsensusofRhodeIsland
feministsthattodaytheyhave"notmanywomen,notmuch
movement."Theagingfeministscomplainbitterlythatyoungcareer
womenrefusetobecalled"feminists."Theywon'tacceptwhatthey
callthe"F-word"becauseit"hascometostandforstrident,
argumentative,angry,humorless."Theysay,"It'syourfaultIcan't
havebabiesbecauseIwaitedtoolongortookbirthcontroltoolongor
whatever.Youtolduswecouldhaveitall.Nowweseewecan't.”
Thefeministslaunchedtheirmovementintheearly1970sby
proclaimingwomenasvictims,layingaguilttriponmen,and
demandingretribution.Theybuilttheirranksbyatechniquecalledthe
consciousness-raisingsession,inwhichfeministswouldcome
togetherandexchangehorrorstoriesabouthowbadlymenhadtreated
them.Grievancesarelikeweeds:ifyouwaterthem,theywillgrow.
Withfeministnurturing,littlegrievancesquicklygrowintobig
grievances.
Butyoucan'tfoolallthepeopleallthetime,andintheprocess,the
45
Americanpeoplehavehadtheirownconsciousnessraised.They
discoveredthatthefeministmovementisbothsociallydestructiveand
personallydisappointing.ATime-CNNpollconfirmedthat64
percentofwomendonotwanttocallthemselvesfeminist.
Ifyouwatchthemediaclosely,youcanseeindicationsthatsome
nowhavethecouragetocommentonfeminism'smistake.Acartoon
intheNewYorkershowedamodernyoungwomanstandingata
cocktailparty,coylysayingtohermalecompanion,"It'sallright,
now,tocallmeagirl.”
Despitethefeminists'identitycrisis,don'texpectthemtoquietlyfade
away,becausesomanyofthemholdtaxpayer-fundedperchesfrom
whichtheycontinuetopromotetheiragenda.You'llfindtheminwellpayingjobsingovernment,inthemedia,andinacademia,wherea
handfulofdeterminedactivistscandoalotofmischief.
1994
LordoftheWhiteHousePlantation
WhenformerSenatorBillBradleywasaskedhiscurrentopinionof
BillClinton,heusedthemostappropriatewordintheEnglish
language.BradleycalledClinton'sbehavior"disgusting.”
MonicaLewinsky'splaintivewordsquotedintheStarrreport—"I
feeldisposable,usedandinsignificant"—displayBillClinton's
attitudetowardwomen.Heistypicalofmenwhopushforfeminist
lawsandpolicies,pretendingthatmistreatmentofwomenisasocietal
problem.It'snot.Thetreatmentofwomenassecondclassor
subservientisapersonaloffensebyindividualmensuchasBill
Clintonwholookuponwomenasthingsratherthanpersons.
Thestar-struck,ambitiousgirl,whohadstalkedClinton,desperately
wantedhimtotreatherlike"aperson."Itwasnottobe.Heusedher
toservicehimsexuallywhileheconductedhisbusinessbyphone
46
withcongressmenandwithhisfamousadviser,DickMorris.Monica
wasinsignificanttoClinton.Afterall,hetoldherhehadhad
hundredsofadulterousliaisons,soshewasjustasdisposableasall
theothers.
ThewayClintonusedhissecretaryBettyCurriewasalmostas
degrading.ActinglikethelordoftheWhiteHouseplantation,Clinton
requiredBettyCurrietoserveasanenablerforhissexualencounters.
SheguidedClinton'sbimbosintotheOvaloffice,toldhimhowmuch
timehehadbeforehisnextappointment,andprotectedhimfrom
suddendiscovery.She,too,wasdisposable,used,andinsignificant.
ContrarytothewhinesofClinton'sdefenders,Monicagatewasnot
"justaboutsex,"norwasheentitledtoshielditas"hisprivatelife."It
wasaworkplaceoffenseforwhichanycorporateormilitaryboss
wouldhavebeenfired.Theactstookplaceinataxpayer-financed
office,withataxpayer-salaried,verysubordinateemployee,witha
taxpayer-salariedsecretaryasfacilitator,withataxpayer-salaried
SecretServiceprotectinghistrysts,withtaxpayer-salariedsurrogates
sentouttolieaboutit
tothemediaandtothegrandjury,andwithtaxpayer-salariedlawyers
defendinghisillicitacts.
Clintondidn'ttreatanywomenasequalsorwithrespect.He
humiliatedhiswife,usedvulnerablewomen(MonicaLewinsky,
PaulaJones,KathleenWilley)togratifyhissexualwants,usedhis
secretary(BettyCurrie)asafacilitator,andusedthefewstrong
womenaroundhim(MadeleineAlbright,DonnaShalala,AnnLewis)
tospreadhislies.
OnegoodresultofMonicagateisthatitdiscreditedthefeministsand
exposedthemaspartoftheradicalleftwingoftheDemocraticParty.
Theentiremedia,includingtheliberals,laughedattheirhypocrisyand
doublestandards.Theirpretenseofbeingadvocatesforwomen's
47
rightswasblownaway,revealingthemasamean-spiritedbunch
whoseaffectionsareforsale.FeministEricaJongexplainedwhythe
feministscontinuetosupportClintononCNBConSeptember29:he
vetoedthebanonpartial-birthabortion,andheappointedfeminist
RuthBaderGinsburgtotheU.S.SupremeCourt.
1998
Hillary:feministheroine?
HillaryRodhamClintonisafeministheroinebecauseshesawtoit
thatherhusbandneverbetrayedthefeminists.Hebetrayedeverybody
else,includinghiswife.Hebetrayeddoctrinaireliberalswhenhe
approvedwelfarereform,hebetrayedhisgayrightsconstituency
whenhesignedtheDefenseofMarriageAct,hebetrayedhiscivil
rightsconstituencybyrestrictingtherightsofcriminals,hebetrayed
membersofhisowncabinetbysendingthemouttolieforhim,buthe
nevercrossedthefeministsevenwhenitwasinhisinteresttodoso,
suchasonpartial-birthabortion.Heusedapro-abortionlitmustest
forSupremeCourtnominationsandstaffedhisadministrationwith
radicalfeminists.
Forallthatandmore,thefeministscanthankHillary.Hillary'smost
famoussoundbiteswerecalculatedtoreassurethefeministsthatsheis
theirsoulsister.OnthefamousCBS60Minutesinterviewin1992
whenshe"covered"forClinton'sliaisonwithGenniferFlowers,
Hillarydefiantlysaid,"I'mnotsomelittlewomanstandingbyherman
likeTammyWynette."Hillarywaswillingtoalienatemillionsof
countrymusicloversinordertobroadcastherfeministmessageeven
asshewasplayingtheroleofthelongsufferingwifeindenial.
DuringtheyearwhenwesufferedthroughtheMonicasoapopera,
Hillaryprovedinspadesthatshewasexactlywhatshedenied:"some
littlewomanstandingbyherman."Thatwasn'tfeministbehavior,but
theend(keepingClintoninoffice)justifiedevennon-feministmeans.
Hillary'spersonalityandideologycamethroughevenclearerduring
48
the1992campaignwithhercalculatedcommentabout"baking
cookies."Insteadofrespondingtoareporter'squestionaboutthe
conflictofinterestbetweenherlawfirmandGovernorBillClinton's
office,shereplied:"IsupposeIcouldhavestayedhomeandbaked
cookiesandhadteas."Thatwasn'taslipofthetongue;itwas
perfectlydescriptiveofthefeministworldview,whichisbasedona
culturalandeconomicput-downoffull-timehomemakers.
Hillary'sviewsonmarriagewerespelledoutbackin1974inthe
HarvardEducationalReview(43:4):"Thebasicrationalefor
deprivingpeopleofrightsinadependencyrelationship[i.e.,wives]is
thatcertainindividualsareincapableorundeservingoftherightto
takecareofthemselvesandconsequentlyneedsocialinstitutions
specificallydesignedtosafeguardtheirposition.Alongwiththe
family,pastandpresentexamplesofsucharrangementsinclude
marriage,slavery,andtheIndianreservationsystem.”
That'svintage1970sfeminism,theideologythatwivesdependenton
theirhusbandsaresecond-classcitizens,thatmarriagetreatswives
likeservantsboggeddownindirtydiapersanddirtydishes,andthat
womenneedout-of-the-homecareerstoachieverealfulfillment.
Hillarydisplayedthissamemindsetwhenshesoundedoffonher
notionthatchildrenshouldberaisedandregulatedbythe"village"
ratherthanbytheirownmothers,whoarepresumablynoteducated
enoughtodoanythingmorestimulatingthanbakingcookies.
So,afeministheroineHillarytrulyis,butafeministrolemodelsheis
not.Infact,sheis—pardontheexpression—justahousewife.She
becameanationalfigureonlybecausesheisthewifeofBillClinton.
Shemadehermoneyandbuiltherso-calledcareertheold-fashioned
way:shemarriedit.Shedidn'thaveanindependentcareerlike,for
example,theself-madecareersofElizabethDole,WendyGramm,
JeaneKirkpatrick,KayBaileyHutchinson,DianneFeinstein,Donna
49
Shalala,MadeleineAlbright,orGeraldineFerraro.Hillary'scareer
andincomefromtheRoselawfirmwerebuiltonthepoliticalfactthat
herhusbandwasgovernorofArkansas,appointingjudgesand
regulatorswhowouldruleonhercases.
Shetriedhardtopretendsheisafeministcareerwoman.
Campaigningin1992,shepromisedusa"co-presidency."Assheput
it,"Ifyouvoteformyhusband,yougetme;it'satwo-for-one,blue
platespecial.”
WhenHillarymovedintotheWhiteHouseinJanuary1993,the
feministclaqueinthemediademandedthatweacceptherasthe
prototypeofthemodernwifewhohasanindependentcareerand
makesmoremoneythanherhusband.Shemadeitclearshewould
notplaytheroleofFirstLady,butwouldbePresidentialPartner,with
herownidentity,policy-makingauthority,andWhiteHousestaff.We
weretoldthatsherepresentedthechangingoftheguardfromoldgenerationwiveslikeBarbaraBush,whoselifestyleisnow
presumablyobsolete.
Hillarystartedheradultlifesputteringthecampusdrivelofthe
1960s.InhergraduationspeechatWellesleyCollegein1969,Hillary
Rodhamsaidshewassearchingfor"moreimmediate,ecstaticand
penetratingmodesofliving,"soshecouldcome"totermswithour
human-ness"and"talkaboutreality,authenticreality,inauthentic
reality.”
Shestillhadnotcome"totermswithreality"bythetimeshemadea
speechasFirstLadyattheUniversityofTexasonApril6,1993.
Hillary'sramblingdiscoursetheresoundedlikeanall-nightbull
sessioninacoedcollegedorm."Weareinacrisisofmeaning,"she
declaimed."Whatdoourgovernmentalinstitutionsmean?Whatdo
ourlivesintoday'sworldmean?...Whatdoesitmeanintoday's
world...tobehuman?”
50
We'reinclinedtorespond,Speakforyourself,Hillary.Lacking
meaninginlifeisanindividual,notasocietal,problem,sinceplenty
ofushavenotroublefindingmeaning,anditwouldseemsheshould
havediscovereditbythetimeshemovedintotheWhiteHouse.In
thatTexasspeech,shecalledfor"anewpoliticsofmeaning,"butthat
mayhavebeenaslip.Sheprobablymeanttocallforanewmeaning
ofpolitics.
Despiteherinabilitytocopewithlife'smeaning,Hillaryhasnever
outgrowntheadolescentarroganceofthecampusradicalsofthe
1960sandthebra-burningfeministsofthe1970swhobelievedthey
hadthemission"toremoldsocietybyredefiningwhatitmeanstobea
humanbeinginthetwentiethcentury.”That’sthearrogancethatled
herin1993totrytoredesignandtakeoverthe$850billionU.S.
healthcareindustry.Shehandledthatprojectsobadlythatitbecamea
majorfactorinelectingaRepublicanCongressin1994.
AfterHillaryassumedcontrolofthehealthcareissue,wesawtypical
feministbehaviorinaction.Sheaccepteddeferenceandchivalryfrom
themiddle-agedcongressmenwhorefrainedfromaskingherany
toughquestions,andthensheusedherpositionasFirstLadytoflout
thelaw.ThelawsuitfiledbytheAssociationofAmericanPhysicians
andSurgeonsprovedthatshedeliberatelyviolatedfederallawby
runningherHealthCareTaskForceandWorkingGroupinsecretin
ordertoconcealtheidentityofpersonswhohadprovableconflictsof
interest.Ifshehadn'thadthePresidenttohidebehind,shewould
havefollowedWebsterHubbellandothersoutofWashington.
WhentheMonicaLewinskyscandalbroke,Hillaryaffectedtherole
ofvictimwhileatthesametimequarterbackingthecover-up,manning
thebattlestations,andmanufacturingthespinabouta"vastrightwingconspiracy."Infeministlingo,shebecameamachofeminist—
thatcuriouscombinationofvictimology,toughness,andlustfor
51
revenge.
There'sjustonethingaboutHillaryIhaven'tbeenabletofigureout.
Whenshedenouncedthe"vastright-wingconspiracy,"whydidshe
wearapinthatincorporatedthesameeaglethatIandmyfriendshave
beenwearingasaninsigniasince1967?
2000
Terrorism<J\Meetsfeminism
Oneoftheunintendedconsequencesoftheterroristattackonthe
WorldTradeCenteronSeptember11,2001,wasthedashingof
feministhopestomakeAmericaagender-neutralorandrogynous
society.NewYorkCity'sforemendaredtochargeupthestairsofthe
burningWorldTradeCenter.Thefirefighters'deathtallywas:men
343,womenzero.
Itisatestamenttotheircourageandskillthatmanythousandsof
peopleweresuccessfullyevacuateddespitemassconfusion.The
fewerthanthreethousandofficeworkerswhodiedweremostly
trappedabovetheexplosionsandcouldnothavebeenevacuated
underanycircumstances.
Thefeministshadmaderepeatedattemptstosex-integrateNew
York'sfiredepartmentthroughlitigation,eventhoughthewomen
couldn'tpassthephysicaltests.Theyevenpersuadedajudgetorule
thatupperbodystrengthislargelyirrelevanttofirefighting.When
ABC-TVairedits1991documentaryBoysandGirlsAreDifferent,
hostJohnStosselshowedfilmclipsofwomenfailingtheirtryoutsfor
theLosAngeles
firedepartment.On-camerainterviewswithGloriaSteinemandBella
Abzugmouthingfeministdemandsthatwomenbehiredas
firefightersregardlesslookrathersillytoday.
Septembernthcalledforallthemasculinestrengththatstrongmen
52
couldmuster.Firefightingisclearlyajobforrealmentodotheheavy
lifting,notaffirmative-actionwomen.
PresidentGeorgeW.Bushsentourspecialforcestotheruggedand
remoteAfghanhillsandcavestogettheterrorists,deadoralive.
FightingtheTalibanisajobforrealmen.Whenthenationalmedia
interviewedsomeofourmarines,oneofourguyssaid,"There'sno
placeI'dratherbethanhere."Americaisfortunatethatthewarrior
culturehassurvivedthirtyyearsoffeministfantasiesandthatsome
menarestillmachoenoughtorelishtheopportunitytoengageandkill
thebadguysoftheworld.
Watchingthewarpicturesontelevision,wealmostexpectedtosee
HighNoonsheriffGaryCooperorJohnWayneridingacrossthe
plains.FeministsshouldgotoseethemovieBlackHawkDownand
reflectonthefactthatwomencouldnothavedonewhatourmendid
inSomalia.
Forseveraldecades,thefeministshavebeendemandingthatwe
terminatethediscriminationthatexcludeswomenfrom"career
advancement"ineverysectionoftheU.S.ArmedForces,assuringus
thathand-to-handcombatisarelicofthepastandthatallourwars
willnowinvolveonlypullingtriggersandpushingbuttons.Tellthat
toourtroopswhotrudgedoverlandminesandjaggedrockswhere
therearen'tanyroads.
Inthe1980sand1990s,thefeministassaultontherighttobeaman
whoismasculinebecameincreasinglyintense.Itwasn'tjusta
semanticgamewhentheyinsistedthatthewordsgentleman,
masculine,andmanlybeexcisedfromourvocabulary.Feministsare
playingforkeeps.
TheyattackedtherighttobeamasculinemanintheU.S.Armed
Services,thekindofmanwhowouldrushintoaburningbuildingto
saveawomanorsearchAfghancavesforOsamabinLaden.
53
Feminists
haveintimidatedourmilitaryintousingatrainingsystembasedon
gendernormingthetests,rewardingeffortratherthanachievement,
andtryingtoassurethatfemalesarenot"underrepresented"inofficer
ranks.It'sbadenoughthatmenareforbiddentoquestionthedouble
standardsorpreferentialtreatmentgiventowomen:itisdishonorable
toinducethemtolieaboutit.
Feministsusedthegovernmentandthecourtstofeminizethatcitadel
ofmasculinity,VirginiaMilitaryInstitute.Inthenameofequality,
theyfirstsoughttoendthepolicyagainsttheadmissionofwomen,
thentodilutethetrainingtoaccommodatefemales.Theschoolstill
requiresamonthlyfitnesstest,butcadetsarenotrequiredtopassit.
NooneshouldhavebeensurprisedwhenaBrotherRatturnedup
pregnant.
Thefeministshaveusedthecourtstotrytocriminalizemasculinity.
Feministlawyersfirstcreatedjudge-madelawtoexpandthestatutory
definitionofsexdiscriminationtoincludesexualharassment,andthey
nowprosecutesexualharassmentonthebasisofhowawomanfeels
ratherthanwhatamandoes.
Thefeminists'attackontherighttobemasculineisinfullswingat
collegesanduniversities.Feminismisamajortenetofpolitical
correctness,andthefemalefacultyarethewatchdogsofspeechcodes.
Subserviencetofeministorthodoxyoncampusesisnotonly
mandatory,itisnondebatable.Women'sstudiescoursesandmany
sociologycoursesaretoolstoindoctrinatecollegewomeninfeminist
ideologyandlayaguilttriponallmen,collectivelyandindividually.
Thethoughtpolicehavewipedoutanypretenseofacademicfreedom
—feministfoolishnessmaynotbecriticized.
ThefeministsuseTitleix,notasavehicletoensureequaleducational
opportunityforwomen,butasamachetetodestroythesportsat
54
whichmenexcel.Inthe1981-82academicyear,428colleges
supportedvarsitywrestlingteams;in1998-99thatnumberwas
reducedto257.Inthesameperiod,thenumberofmen'sgymnastics
programsdroppedfromeighty-twototwenty-six.
Thefeministbattalionsareevenonthewarpathagainsttherighttobe
aboy.InelementaryschoolsacrossAmerica,recessisrapidlybeing
eliminated,shockingnumbersoflittleboysare"medicated"with
psychotropicdrugstoforcethemtobehavelikelittlegirls,andzerotoleranceidiociesarepunishingboysforindulgingingamesof
normalboyhoodsuchascopsandrobbers.
Ofcourse,whenyouwipeoutmasculinemen,youalsoeliminate
gentlemen,thekindofmenwhowoulddefendandprotectalady—
likethegentlemenwhoremainedontheTitanic.Oftheship's
survivors,94percentofthoseinfirst-classand81percentofthosein
second-classwerewomen.
2001
HappyattheTop
Bytheendofthecentury,womenexecutiveshadmadeittothetopof
thecorporateworld.AsHewlett-Packard'sCEOMS.Carleton
Fiorinaproclaimed,"Thereisnotaglassceiling,"andsheprovedit
byhereighty-million-dollarcontract.OtherfemaleCEOSincluded
EllenM.HancockofExodusCommunicationsandAndreaJungof
AvonProducts.
Butthepro-feministpressstillcomplainsthatlifeisn'tfairtowomen.
Afour-columnNewYorkTimesheadlineonJune24,2001,whined,
"SoWhereAretheCorporateHusbands?"Thesituationthat
provokedthislongnewsarticlewasthat"morethanthreedecades
intothewomen'smovement,seventeenyearsafterFortunemagazine
predictedthedemiseofthecorporatewife,avastmajorityofchief
executivesofthenation'stopcorporationsarenotonlymen,but
55
marriedmenwithstay-at-homewives.”
Continuingthisfeministwhine,theTimesreported,"Whenthetop
executiveisaman,hestillusuallymakesuseofacorporatewife."
Note
thefeministsnarlthatoozesfromthewords"makesuseof."The
Timescriesout,"Butwhenawomanrunsabusiness,shedoesmany
ofthe'wifechores'herself.Andtherestfallbythewayside,perhaps
tothedetrimentofhercareer."Whencorporatehusbandsemerge,
"theydon'tplaytheirroleswithquitetheverveofafull-blown
corporatewife.”
Feministswhosettherevolutioninmotionwerenotonlyintenton
propellingwomentothetopoftheladder;theyplannedtoredesign
theladderitself(includingcausing"thedemiseofthecorporate
wife").Butthatturnedouttobejustanotherfantasythatfadedinthe
glareofreality.Dashingmoredreamsofthefeminists,theCensus
Bureaureportedintheyear2000thatthepercentofwomeninthe
laborforcewithinfantsunderageonedroppedfrom59percentto55
percent.
Whenthewomen'sliberationmovementburstontothemediainthe
1970s,theirpublicmessagewasademandtoendsexdiscrimination,
particularlyinemployment.Butequalpayforequalworkhadbecome
thelawofthelandin1963,yearsbeforethefeministmovementgot
underway.WhenRuthBaderGinsburgwroteheranalysisoffederal
lawsthatallegedlydiscriminatedagainstwomenin1977,$ex^asin
theU.S.Code,shecouldnotciteasinglelawthatdiscriminated
againstwomeninemployment.
Whiningaboutequalpayforequalworkwasjustacoverforthe
feminists'realgoalsintheworkplace.TheyrantoBigBrother
Governmenttoprovidethereversediscriminationcalledaffirmative
action,wagecontrolbyfeminist-directed"comparableworth"
56
commissions,andtheforcedhiringoffeministsinhighly-paidjobs
whicha"glassceiling"supposedlydeniesthem.
Allduringthe1970sand1980s,feministswagedaviciousassault
againsttherighttobeawomanwhoisnotafeminist.Thefeminist
catalogueofrightsdidnotincludetherighttobeexemptfrom
conscriptionormilitarycombatortherightofawifetobesupported
byherhusband.
Feministsstrovetoeliminatetheroleofstay-at-homewifebymaking
itsociallydisdained,economicallydisadvantaged,andlegallyshornof
traditionalprotections.Feministalliesinthemediacarriedonan
unrelentingattackagainsttraditionalmarriage,peddlingthenotionthat
theOzzie-and-Harrietlifestyleisoutandthatserialmarriagesarein.
Thegoalofthefeministsisthecompleterestructuringofoursociety,
changingattitudesaswellasbehavior,abolishinggenderroles,and
repositioninggenderrelationships.Butevenwiththeactiveassistance
ofBigMedia,changinghumannatureisstillbeyondtheirgrasp.
II
TheMedia:MirrororMakerofTrends'?
Moreofyourconversationwouldinfectmybrain.Coriolanus
Kramerv.Kramer
ThemovieKramerv.Kramerdramatizeshowfeminismdestroys
marriageandhoweverybody,especiallychildren,endsupaslosers.
Sincetheplotissodrearyanduninspiring,themovie'ssuccessmust
belaidprincipallytothefactthatittouchesoneofthemostsensitive
nervesoftoday'ssociety.
Mr.andMrs.Kramer'smarriagehadnoneoftheusualmarital
57
problems.Therewasnoadultery,noalcohol,nofinancialworry,no
physicalindignity.Theonlyproblemwasfeminism.Mrs.Kramer
begantothinkshewasn'ta"wholeperson,"andthatshewas"only"a
wifeandmother.Shelostherself-esteem.Shedecidedtoabandonher
husbandandchildinordertobeliberatedtoseekherownselfidentity.Soshewalkedoutonherhusbandandchild.
Aftershewasliberatedfrommarriageandlandedajobmakingmore
moneythanherhusband,sherealizedshewantedherchildagain.So
sheusedtheweaponofthecourt'straditionalbiasinfavorofmothers.
Themiddle-agedjudgeawardedherthechildeventhoughshewasthe
onewhohadwalkedoutonthemarriage.Theaudience"court"would
haveoptedforMr.Kramer.
Attheendofthemovie,Mr.Kramerwasunhappy,Mrs.Kramer
wasunhappy,andthechildwastheunhappiestofallbecausehewas
leftwithonlyoneparentandhelovedthemboth.Themarriagewas
destroyed,andtheonlycausewasthepsychologicalproblemscreated
byfeminism.
Kramerv.Kramerisamostinstructivemovie.Itshowsthat
feminismisanti-familyandacauseofdivorce.Itprovesthatthereal
victim
ofwomen'slibisthechild.Italsoshowsthatwomen'slibdoesn't
alwayslooklikeBellaAbzug:itcanalsohavethefaceofMeryl
Streep.
1982
CanbabiesandhusbandsCope?
TheNBCnews"whitepaper"calledWomen,WorkandBabiesput
animportantsubjectontheagendafornationaldiscussion.Jane
Pauley,thenAmerica'smostfamousemployedmotheroftwins,
posedthequestion,"CanAmericacope"withthephenomenonof
58
motherswhohavefull-timejobs?
Theprogramwasnotaboutsingleparentstryingtosupport
themselvesandtheirchildren.Theprogramwasabouttwo-earner
couplesinwhichthewife(a)wantsaprofessionalcareerforherown
self-fulfillment,(b)simplylikestheextramoney(togoonvacations,
etc.),or(c)admitsshecan'tstandbeingathomewithherchildrenand
wouldratherbeanywhereelse.
Anysuccessfullawyerknowsthat,ifhecanframethequestion,he
canoftengettheverdicthewantsfromjudgeorjury.Thequestion
reallyisnot"CanAmericacope?"but"Canbabiescope?"or"Can
husbandscope?”
NBCpresentedtheproblemfromthefeministpointofviewand,true
toform,offeredthesolutionfromtheliberals'pointofview.TheNew
YorkTimesreviewoftheshow,commentingontheideologicalbias
oftheWhitePaper,calledit"apleaforfreelunch."Themessagewas
that"society"shouldprovidemoretaxpayer-financeddaycarecenters
andemployer-financedspecialbenefitsandjobsecurityformothers.
TheTimesconcluded,that'sthewayto"solve"the"problem"ofthe
kidssowecanallshout"hoorayforthetwo-incomecoupleandselfrealizationinthemarketplace!”
Let'sbebluntaboutthisdemand.Anyplanforsociety,or
government,orcorporationstoassumethedirectandindirectcostsof
caringforbabiesmeansimposingtherealcostsonthetaxpayersand
thegeneralpublic,which,inturn,meansonthesingles,thecouples
whohavealreadyraisedtheirfamilies,andthecoupleswhoareliving
onalowersingleincome.It'shardtothinkofanythingmoreunjust.
Non-mothercareofbabiesisveryexpensive.Thisistrueevenatthe
minimumwageratespaidtoworkersinmostdaycarecenters,and
evenwithinadequateconditionsandsupervision.
59
Butcostistheadults'problem.Fromthebabies'pointofview,
daycarediseasesaremoreserious.Anyonewhohaswatchedflubugs
andothercontagiousdiseasesgothroughafamilyofseveralchildren
athomemustrecoilinhorroratthethoughtofthirtytoddlersin
diapers,allillandscreamingfortheirmothers.TheNBCprogram
admittedthatdaycarebabiesaretwelvetimesmorelikelytogettheflu
thanhome-carebabies.
Anothermajorproblemfromthebabies'pointofviewistheconstant
changeofpersonnel.Babiesdon'tadaptwelltothehighturnoverrate
ofhiredcareproviders.
Whilebabiesarethebiggestlosersinanysystemofnon-mothercare,
itwasclearfromtheNBCprogramthathusbandslose,too.Whena
womanhasababyandacareer,thehusbandranksthirdonherscale
ofpriorities,andapoorthirdatthat,becauseshe'ssimplytoo
exhaustedforanythingelseevenifshehasanyextratime,whichshe
usuallydoesn't.
Thelifestylesectionsofnewspapershavehadmanyarticlesinrecent
monthsabouthowmenintheirtwentiesandthirtiesarerejectingor
avoidingmarriage.Isitanywonder?Whatmanwantstoriska
financialandemotionalcommitment,buyaring,andassumea
mortgageonahouse,whenhewillrankonlynumberthreeinthe
heartofthewomanheloves?
Allthattalkaboutegalitarianmarriagesinwhichthehusbandsshare
50-50inchildcaresimplydoesn'thappeninpractice,asJanePauley
complainedbitterly.TheNBCprogrammaintainedthatonly13
percentofhusbandssharebabycareasthefeministssaytheyshould.
JanePauleytriedtotellusthatitis"therule,nottheexception"for
mothersofsmallbabiestobeinthelaborforce,andshepredictedthat
60
thetraditionalMom"seemsheadedforextinction."Thatwasaselfservingslurtotrytojustifyherownlifestyle.Fourteenmillion
mothershavemadethecommitmenttogivetheirbabiesfull-timecare
athome,andtheyarestaggeringunderanincometaxburdenthatis
unfairtofamilieswithchildren.
1985
MadisonavenueandMotherhood
Ifeelsorryfortheadvertisingagenciesthatmustproducethethirtyandsixty-secondcommercialspotscostinghundredsofthousandsof
dollarsonprime-timetelevision.Theyhavethetaskofmakingtheir
productirresistibletoamarkettheydon'tunderstand.Womenbuy
mostoftheconsumergoods,sothepitchmustappealtowomen.But
howdoyoucreateatelevisionadfeaturingawomanwithout
alienatingsomeofthewomenyouwantascustomers?
HighlypaidadmenarediscoveringwhatWalterMondaledidn't
seemtoknowwhenhechoseGeraldineFerraroashisrunningmate
in1984.Womenaresimplynotauniformblocwiththesameattitudes
(commercialorpolitical)whocanbeappealedtoasagroup.
Thefeministmovementhascarriedonarunningcriticismforthelast
decadeagainstadvertisementsthatshowmotherstakingprideinclean
households,goodcooking,andotherevidencesofahomemaker's
domesticskills.Inthefeministview,womenshouldbeliberatedfrom
thestereotypethathomemakingisafulfillingcareer.Yetmarketing
researchshowsthatmothersconstitute60percentoftheprime-time
audience,andtheyarethetargetof75percentofprime-time
advertisingdollars.Thepercentagesareevenhigherduringdaytime
television.
A1978Enjoliperfumetelevisionadshowedamothersayingtoher
husband,"Icanbringhomethebacon,fryitupinapanandnever,
never,neverletyouforgetyou'reaman."In1984,theEnjoliwoman
61
haschangedhertune,saying,"Icanbringhomethebacon,fryitupin
apan,butonceinawhileyou'vegottogivemeahand.”
TheWallStreetJournalcallsthischange"MadisonAvenuetryingto
keepupwithmotherhood."ButisEnjolisellingperfumeorselling
changinglifestylesandwomen'slib?Itseemsobviousthatthesmell
ofthebaconwouldsmotherthedelicatefragranceofperfumeno
matterwhatthewordsinthewoman'smouth.
Someadvertisershavesuccumbedtofeministdemandsby
domesticatingDad.DadsnowcookAuntJemima'swaffles,change
diaperswithJohnson&Johnsonbabypowder,andshopat
supermarketsforKraftcheese.Isthisthewaylifeis,orthewaythe
avantgardewantsittobe?Suchadvertisingmayberaisingfalse
hopesincareer-orientedyoungwomen.
Manyadvertisingagenciesarecopingwithconflictingsocialtrends
bycensoringmothersoutoftheircommercialsaltogether.Asurveyof
250recenttelevisionspotsfoundthatonlynineshowedwomenas
mothers.Alargepercentagedidn'tshowwomenatall,usingmenor
onlytheproductsthemselves.
Recentlytherehasbeenasignificantincreaseincommercialsthatuse
employedwomentopeddleaproduct.UnitedAirlinesshowsa
motherlookingatafamilypictureinherbriefcasewhileonabusiness
trip,whilePour-a-Quicheshowsmotheranddaddrivinghome
togetherfromtheirjobs.
Statisticsshowthat53percentofwomenareemployedoutsidethe
homeand47percentarenot.Ifcompanieswanttoselltheirproducts,
theiradscan'taffordtoomitempathyfornearlyhalfofthemarketjust
forthesakeofbeingtrendy.
Theartificialworldofprime-timetelevisionprogramming,by
62
contrastwithadvertisingspots,seemstohaveabandonedthe
traditionalfamilyandplungedintoaworldwheretherearealmostno
mothers.JuneCleaver,HarrietNelson,LucyRicardo,andotherstayat-homemomshavevanished.They'vebeenreplacedbysingle
women,divorcedwomensharinghomes,andfemaledetectiveswith
unemployedhusbands.Somemothersappear,buttheyareusually
widowed,divorced,orunwed,ortheirchildrenareperipheraltothe
plot.
Intherealworld,however,thetideisgoingagainstfeminismand
towardmotherhood.Everywomandoesn'tneedababy,butevery
babystillneedsamother.
1985
'DoingtheDirtyWork
ArtBuchwald'sparticularbrandofhumorhasmadehimasocial
commentatoroncurrentculturalandpoliticaltrendsjustasWill
Rogers'shumordelightedanearliergeneration.ABuchwaldcolumn
entitled"LiberationandtheSelf-MaidWoman,"likemanyofhis
CapitolPunishmentcolumns,wastruthhidingbehindhumor.
AftertalkingwithaliberatedlawyernamedLila,Buchwald
concludedthat"behindeveryliberatedwoman,thereisanother
womanwhohastodothedirtyworkforher."(Wewilloverlook
Buchwald'sbiasthatitis"dirtier"totakecareofchildrenandcook
familymealsthanitistooutwit,outmaneuver,andoutlitigatean
opponentinalawsuit.)
BuchwaldmadetheamazingdiscoverythatLila'scareerina
WashingtonlawfirmabsolutelydependsonaLatinAmerican
domesticnamedJuanitawhotakescareofLila'schildren,cooksthe
meals,cleansthehouse,andtendstoLila'shusband'sshirts.Juanita's
wagesconsume
halfofLila'ssalary,but,evenso,jobturnoverishigh.Lilahastohunt
upanew"Juanita"abouteveryeightmonths.
63
Playingthestraightmaninthisconversation,BuchwaldaskedLila
aboutallthosemagazinesthatshowhusbandssharingthehousehold
duties.Lilaexplainsthatthosehusbandsexistonlyinmagazines.
Husbands,shesays,aremorethanwillingforawifetobeliberated,
justaslongasshetakescareofthehouseandchildren,too.
Inhisowninimitablestyle,Buchwaldcaricaturestheconversation,
andonecaninferthathesympathizeswithLila'sdilemma.Hehad
thoughtLilawastheshiningexampleofaliberatedwomanwhohad
thebestofbothworlds.Heisshockedtofindthat,withoutJuanita
moppingfloors,Lilawouldn'tbeliberatedatall.Asheputitinhis
exquisitehyperbole,"inordertobefree,awomanmustfindanother
slavetoreplaceher.”
Inallthegallonsofinkthathavepouredoverthesubjectofwomen's
rolesinthelastdecade,ittookahumoristtoliftthecurtainonthis
sensitivesubject.Equalemploymentopportunityhasbeenthelawof
thelandsince1963;that'snotcontroversialanymore.Butevenifwe
buildasocietyinwhichwomenhaveabsolutelyguaranteedequal
opportunityinhiring,pay,andpromotions—evenifmodernyoung
womenhaveasingle-mindeddedicationtoabusinessorprofessional
career,andputinasmanyovertimehoursandlifetimeeffortastheir
malecompetitors—theaveragewomanstillwillnotachievethe
heightsofcareerandfinancialsuccessthattheaveragemandoes.
Thatisbecausemenhaveonegreatassetovertheirfemale
competitors—menhavewives.And,intheworldweknow,thereare
notverymanypersonswhowanttobethewifeofawoman.Wives
areatremendousassettocareer-orientedmen.Wivesprovidethe
nurturingofthechildren,thekeepingofthehouse,theemotional
securityofanesttocomehometo,andmostimportant,theincentive
foramantoworkhardandsucceed.
64
Oneattractive,liberatedcareerwomanwhowasrecentlydivorced
statedtheproblemfrankly.Sheadmittedthatthedivorcewascaused
because"neitheroneofuswantedtobeawife.”
WhatBuchwaldandLiladiscovered,feministideologueshave
knownforsometime.Thatiswhytheyworksohardtoeliminatethe
economicrightsofwivesandmothers.Thefeministlegislativeagenda
includessuchanti-wifeproposalsaseliminatingthedependentwife's
benefitinSocialSecurityandrepealingallstatelawsthatspelloutthe
wife'srighttobesupportedbyherhusband.
Takingawayrightsfromwivesdoesn'tputonethindimeinthe
pocketsofanyunmarriedemployedwoman.Whatlurksbehindthese
anti-wifeproposalsistheresentmentofcareerwomenlikeLilathat
hermalecompetitorsinthebusinessworldhavetheadvantageof
wives,whereasherchildrenaretakencareofbyahired,temporary
"Juanita.”
TheMegeneration,whichseeksonlyitsownfulfillment,will
probablysaythatsex-rolestereotypesaren'tfairandthatwemustuse
thestrongarmofgovernmenttoabolishthem.Butthosewhobelieve
thatitisasocialgoodforchildrentobecaredforbytheirown
mothersinafamilyenvironmentarenotabouttoacquiesceinthe
eliminationofthetraditionalrightsofwives.
1986
WhoInventedfreeLove?
Thelifestyleorwomen'ssectionsofmetropolitannewspapers
certainlyhaveverydifferentfeaturesfromthosetheyhadfifteenyears
ago.Gonearethedayswhenacoupleofpageswerefilledwithbrides
inweddingdressesandengagementsofyoungwomenandmenwho
pledgedtolivetogetherintraditionalmarriage.Nowthebridesare
relegatedtosmallpicturesonbackpages,whiletheheadlinesandthe
friendlyphotosare
65
giventothosewholivewhatiseuphemisticallycalled"alternative
lifestyles."Readersaretreatedtoasteadysuccessionoffeaturesabout
differentlivingarrangements,suchaslesbianmothers,orwomen
whodecidetohaveachildbutrefusetoallowthechildtohavea
father.
Atypicalexampleoftheseoffbeatfeatureswastheflatteringlifestyle
articleaboutLindaLeClairandPeterBehr.Thesetwoanti-Vietnam
Warcollegestudentsfromthelate1960s,wearetold,deservetheir
nicheinhistoryasthestandard-bearersoftheNewMorality.
No,Lindadidn'tdosomethingconstructivebasedonpersonal
achievementlikeDr.SallyRide.No,Lindawasn'telectedor
appointedtohighoffice.No,shedidn'tsucceedinbusinessora
profession,ordistinguishherselfbyvolunteerservice.Whatshedid,
asasophomoreatBarnardCollege,wastoliveunmarriedwithher
loverin1968andbethefirsttoflauntherimmoralbehaviorona
collegecampus.
Thefemaleauthorofthisnewspaperfeatureapparentlybelievesthat
thismakesLindasomethingofafolkherowhoopenedupnew
worldsforwomen."Shereallyliberatedthings."Thearticlecredits
herfortheshifttocoeddormsoncollegecampuses.
Afewsmalldetailstowardtheendofthestory,however,blemished
Lindaasarolemodel.LindaandPeterbrokeupsoonaftertheir
extramaritalliaisonbecameknown.Shedroppedoutofcollegeand,
fifteenyearslater,isasingleworkingmotherstillseekingacollege
degree.PeterownsamassagetherapyclinicinCanadaandismarried
toawomanhemetatamassagetherapyconvention.
TVGuidefeaturedanarticlebyMarioThomastalkingfranklyabout
herrolesintelevisiondramas.Fifteenyearsago,shepointedout,the
girlsheplayedinatelevisionseriesneversleptwithherboyfriend;
66
thescriptmadethatveryclear.Whenshekissedhim,theywerenever
inabedroom;hewasalwaysatthedooronhiswayout.
Inthemid-1980s,Thomascontinues,shestartedanewseriesabouta
womanwhohasalover,notaboyfriend.Shesaysitisnowokayfor
atelevisionheroinetohaveanadulterousrelationship.Accordingto
MarioThomas,thismeansthatwomenhave"grownup."Inherview,
thisisliberation,andtelevisionreflectstheadvanceswomenhave
made.
Whyaresomanymediasourcesconstantlysellingthemessagethat
"sexualliberation"ispartof"women'sliberation"?Thesexual
revolutionforcedwomentotakemostoftheriskswhile
accommodatingthepromiscuousplayboylifestyle.
Mostofthemediarefertoabortionasthepreeminentwomen'sright.
Thesexactinvolvestwopeople,yetthewomanisexpectedtoassume
theriskforthe"mistake"—thephysicalriskplustheemotionaltrauma
ofkillingherownbaby.Thewomanisleftwiththebitternessof
beingexploited.Contraceptivesareusuallytoutedasanother
manifestationofwomen'sliberation.Again,theresponsibilityforthe
worry,theinconvenience,andthephysicalriskfromsideeffectsfalls
onthewoman.
Disease?Thewomansuffersmore.Shebearsthehighriskof
cervicalcancerfrompromiscuity.Women'ssoresfromincurable
herpesaremorepainful,andtheylastlonger.Beyondthatisthe
dangerthathervenerealdiseaseposestoherunbornchildren,even
laterinlife.
Easy,no-faultdivorcehascomeaboutoverthelastfifteenyearsas
partof"women'sliberation."Theresulthasbeeneconomic
devastationforwomen;divorceisthechiefcauseofthefeminization
ofpoverty.Theex-husband'sstandardoflivinggoesupafterdivorce,
67
andhecanlookforayoungerwife;theex-wife'sstandardofliving
goesdowndramatically,andsheisunlikelytofindayounger
husband.
Sexualliberationisjustasnowjobtoconwomenintotakingthe
riskssothatmencanreaptherewardsoftheplayboylifestyle.Sexual
liberationimposesmostofthefinancial,physical,andpsychological
costsonwomen.AsBetteMidlersaid,"Freelove,whoinventedthat?
Guysinventedthat,becausethewomenhavealltheburdenoffree
love.”
1986
StatutoryRapeandDate
Statutoryrapeisthecrimecommittedbyamanwhohassexual
intercoursewithaminorgirlundertheageofconsent(whichvariesin
differentstatesfromtentoeighteenyearsofage).Itisbasedonthe
assumptionthat,sinceyounggirlscanbetakenadvantageofby
sexuallyexperiencedmen,whetherornotthegirlconsentstothe
intimacyisirrelevantbecausetheman(presumablysinceheisolder
andanauthorityfigure)hasthewherewithaltoinduceherconsent.
In1981theU.S.SupremeCourtupheldtheconstitutionalityof
statutoryrapelawsagainstachallengethattheyaresex
discriminatory.TheCourtupheldaCalifornialawmakingitafelony
foramantohavesexualintercoursewithawomanunderageeighteen
whoisnothiswife.Thisdecisionwasmuchcriticizedbythe
feministsasupholdingasex-discriminatorylawbasedonwhatthey
call"outmoded"sexualstereotypes.
Thefeministmovementhastriedtoeliminatelawsagainststatutory
rapefortworeasons.First,theselawsconstituteimpedimentstotheir
goalofatotallysex-neutrallegalsystem:onlyamalecanbe
prosecutedforthiscrime,andonlyafemalecanbehisvictim.
Second,asexplainedbyRuthBaderGinsburginher1977reporton
68
SexBiasintheU.S.CodepublishedbytheU.S.Commissionon
CivilRights,alawdesignedto"protectweakwomenfrombadmen"
is"offensivebecauseoftheimageofwomenitperpetuates.”
Nowlet'slookathowprime-timetelevisionentertainment
editorializesforthefeministmovement.ThetitleofABC-TV'StwohourmoviecalledWhenSheSaysNowasadeception.Thewoman
namedRosesaid"yes"inahundredwaysoverseveralhours;she
invitedthreemenintoherhotelroomforwhattheythoughtwas
recreationalsexengagedinbyconsentingadults,andthentwodays
latersheinitiatedacriminalprosecutionofthethreeforrape.
Whilethedramatizationpresentedtheissuefrombothmaleand
femaleviewpoints,themoviecameoffasaneditorialinbehalfofthe
woman.Theaudiencewasledtobelievethatthemenshouldbe
convictedofrapebecausetheyshouldnothavereliedonherconsent,
eventhoughshepursuedandflirtedwiththemallevening,ledthem
on,freelyinvitedthemintoherhotelroom,andvoluntarilyundressed
herself.
Thefeminists,whofortenyearshaveopposedthelawsdesignedto
protectgirlsunderageeighteenfrompredatoryDonJuans,nowwant
thelawtoprotectwomenlikeRosefromwhatiscolloquiallyknown
as"daterape."YetRosewasnochild;shewasathirty-year-old
divorceeanduniversityinstructorwithaPH.D.
Thefeminists'doublestandardisfascinating.Theywantagirlof
twelveorthirteenyearstobeabletoconsentsoherseducercango
scot-free.Buttheywantaprofessionalwomanofthirtytobeableto
consentatmidnightandthenchangehermindtwodayslaterand
prosecutehererstwhilefriendsforcriminalrape.
Roseclaimedthatherapparentconsentwasforcedandtherefore
shouldn'tberecognizedinlawasa"yes."Buthowwassheforced
69
sincetherewasnophysicalviolence?Aftercoachingbyherfeminist
lawyer,sheclaimedthattheintercoursewasn'therfaultbecause
societyhadconditionedhertotakeordersfrommen—firstherfather,
thenherhusband,thenthemaleprofessorwhoheadedher
department.
Butdidn'tthefeministstellusthatsuchnotionsoftheweakersexare
reallyold-fashionedstereotypesfromwhichthemodernwomanhas
beenfreed?Certainlyawomanwhohasspenttenyearsinthe
feministatmosphereofauniversitycampusshouldbetotallyliberated
fromanyneedtohavesocietyprotectherfromwhatRoseconceded
washerown"stupidity.”
TheABC-TVmoviedramatizedanddefendedthefalsefeminist
ideologythatwomenarethehelplessvictimsofapowerstructurein
whichmenhavethepowerandtheauthority,whilewomenare
psychologicallytrainedtoobey.Intruth,Rosewasjustalonely
thirty-year-old
womanwhocravedmaleattentionatanyprice,evenfromthreemen
whoseunattractivenesswasmatchedonlybytheirlackofaffection.
1986
MaleWimps
TimemagazinegaveacoverandsevenpagestopromoteShereHite's
diatribeagainstmencalledWomenandLove:ACulturalRevolution
inProgress.ShereHiteisanex-modelwhoposednudeforPlayboy
andOui.Shethenproclaimedherselfa"sexologist"(asortoffemale
Kinsey)andmadeseveralmilliondollarsontwobooks(in1976and
1981)allegedlyrevealinginsideinformationaboutwomen'ssexuality.
Naturally,thismadeheradarlingofthemedia,whoaccordedherthe
freepublicitythatsoldenoughbookstoenablehertoliveinamilliondollarFifthAvenueapartmentdecoratedlikeanItalianpalace.
WomenandLoveisbuiltonthethesisthatmenaretoblameforall
70
women'sproblems.Specifically,sheaccusesmenofcommitting
"emotionalandpsychologicalharassment"andoffailingtocultivate
"verbalcloseness"withwomen.
Themenwhomanagethenewsmagazinesandthenetworktalk
shows,andwhodecidedtogiveHite'sbookextravagantfree
advertising,mustliketobeinsultedandkickedaroundbythe
feminists.Whatexceptmasochismcanexplainwhytheyfeaturesuch
feministfuries?
Hite'sbookisacompendiumoftheviewsof4,500frustratedand
disillusionedwomenwhoblametheiremotionaltroublesonmenand
nowannouncetheyare"fedupwithmen."Hiteelevatestheir
personalsobstoriestothestatusofasocietalproblemandcallstheir
cumulativecomplainta"large-scaleculturalrevolution.”
Hiteissuremenshouldbeblamedbecausetheyaretreacherous
troglodytesandwomenaresociallyconditionedtoservethem."It's
men's
attitudestowardwomenthatarecausingtheproblem,"accordingto
Hite,becausemenhave"condescending,judgmentalattitudes."In
commentingonTime'sarticle,onelettertotheeditorsuggestedthat
ShereHite'snameshouldbepronouncedSheerHate.
Wasn'tthewomen'sliberationmovementofthe1970ssupposedto
curethatcondescensionandpromoteequalityofmenandwomenin
factory,office,kitchen,andbed?Hitesaysithasn'tworkedoutthat
way.Sheassertsthat,inspiteofwomen'sliberationandthesexual
revolution,womenremainoppressedandareexpectedtoplaythe
traditionalnurturing,love-givingroleswhilesharingthebreadwinner
role,too.
SinceBettyFriedan'sopeningblasttwodecadesago,thefeminist
propagandistshavepreachedthenotionthatwemustredesignsociety
71
tobecomegenderneutralandthatmenmustshedtheirmachoimage
andremakethemselvestobecomehousehusbandsatleasthalfthe
time.Menmustlearntocry,cook,andacceptwomenwhoarecareer
oriented,competitive,andunfaithful.
So,thefeministssucceededinmakingalargepercentageofthenew
generationofmenintoabunchofwimpswhohaveaguiltcomplex
andacquiesceinadailydietofmalebashing.TheNewManisunsure
ofhisrole,hismissioninlife,andevenhimself.
TheseNewMennowfeelnoresponsibilitytoprovidetheirwives
withahomeandfinancialsupport(theyexpecttheirwivestohave
jobsandsharethemortgagepayments,aswellasdothedishesand
thediapers),andtheyfeelnoobligationtoremainfaithfulorstick
aroundforalifetime.Employersaretongue-lashedintoindulging
theirfemaleemployeeswithspecialprivilegesthatwouldneverbe
accordedtomen,andpreachersareintimidatedintorewriting
Scriptureandhymnstosuitthestridentfeminists.
ShereHite,theparadigmofwomen'sliberationandsexualliberation,
nowprovesoutofherownmouththatfeminismisafailedideology
thatproduceswomenwhoareburnedoutandbitter.Menwhoaccept
theblameforthisresultare,indeed,wimps.
MaybetheHitebookwillbetheproverbialstrawthatbreaksthe
camel'sbackandwillencouragementosaytheyarefedupwiththe
foolishfeminists.Maybethenwewillstarttohearfromsomereal
men.
1987
Carvingthe"Joint
Hardtimeshavehitthefeminists.Themoresuccessfultheirfavorites
become,themorevisibletheyarewhentheydon'tbehavelike
ideologicalfeminists.
72
CongresspersonPatSchroeder(D-CO)wasthefeminists'besthope
forafemaleonanationalticketin1988.Shecampaignedinfiftycities
andthirtystatesandraisedtherespectablesumof$800,000,withthe
NationalOrganizationforWomenchanting"Run,Pat,Run!”
Itwasn'tpullingoutoftheracethatdemoralizedthefeminists.Itwas
thatSchroedercriedandfellapartinherhusband'sembracewhenshe
announcedherwithdrawalfromtherace.Thefeministswereacutely
embarrassedbecauseSchroeder'semotionalperformanceconfirmed
thefearsthatmanypeoplehaveaboutawomanbeingpresident,
namely,thatsheisn't"man"enoughforthejob."Whathappenswhen
shesitsdownatatablewithGorbachevandhewon'tgiveuphis
missiles?"askedoneDemocraticconsultant.
TheSchroederexitcamehardontheheelsoftheresignationof
SecretaryofTransportationElizabethDole,thehighest-ranking
womaninRepublicanofficialdom,inordertocampaignforher
husbandBobDoleforpresident.Thefeministscan'tacceptthata
successfulwomanwouldputherowncareersecondtoherhusband's.
Justhowbitterthefeministsareonthispointwasdramatically
broughthometomeseveralyearsagowhenIdebatedbeforethe
studentbodyatWestPoint.WhenIsuggestedthatamalecadetselect
a
wifewhowouldputhercareersecondtohis,twenty-fivefemale
cadetsgotup,slammedtheirseats,andnoisilystompedoutofthe
auditoriuminadiscourteousdisplayofprotest.
ButtheSchroederandDolesetbacksweredoubledinspadesbythe
successoftwomovies:FatalAttractionandBabyBoom.The
feministsmustbeburningthemidnightoiltryingtofigureouthowto
copewiththedilemmasposedbythesebox-officewonders.
73
TheresidentmalefeministattheWashingtonPost,RichardCohen,
manifestedhisfrustrationinacolumnheadlined"ANewStereotype:
TheCrazyCareerWoman."Heisbesidehimselfwithangerthat
audienceslininguptoseeFatalAttractionssteamysexscenesfind
themselveswatchingamoviethatshowsacareerwomanwhoisa
psychopathwhilethewifeis"bright,educated,andtotallyfulfilled"as
afull-timehomemakerandwhosecharacterexhibitsserenityand
"formidablestrength.”
Inacoverstory,Timemagazinealsoreportedthefeminists'rage
aboutthefilm,predictingthatFatalAttraction"willlingerinthe
Americancentralnervoussystem.”
DianeKeaton'smovie,BabyBoom,posesanotherchallengeforthe
feminists.ItisthetaleofafemaleYaleundergraduate—Harvard
MBA,high-pressuremanagementconsultant,earningsixfiguresata
topcorporation,wearingdesignerfashionsandenjoyingalive-in
lover,whoabandonsitalltolivewithababyandhusbandinasmall
townanddevelopacottageindustrymakingbabyfood.
Theideasofbabydisplacingbriefcaseandhomeworkdisplacingthe
boardroomataFortune500corporationareanathematothe
feminists,sotheyfeelcompelledtoengageinsocialcommentary
complainingthatBabyBoomisbasedonanimprobablethemefrom
the1950s.
DianeKeaton'sownlifeisthearchetypicalfeministsuccessstory:
sheissophisticated,nevermarried,childless,hasacareerthatearns
heramilliondollarspermovie,andhasfamousloverslikeWoody
Allen
andWarrenBeatty.Itisunlikelythatsheeverspenteveningsinfront
ofthefireplacereadingDr.Spock.
Now,approachingagefortywithneitherhusbandnorbaby,shetook
74
onamoviescriptthatmakesastatementthatthereisalotmoretolife
forawomanthanasuccessfulbusinesscareer.Keatonadmittedoff
camerathat"themoviesaysyoucan'thaveeverything—everybody
hastocompromise,"andwhenababycomesintothepicture,
"everythinggetsoutofcontrol,butherlifegetsalotbetter."USA
TodayquotedKeatonasadmittinginaninterviewthatsheherself
wouldliketohaveababy.
Ifthefeministmovementweretrulya"women'srights"movement,
BritishPrimeMinisterMargaretThatcherwouldbehailedasthe
primeexampleofwomen'sabilitytoachieveandwinincompetition
withmen.Ifthefeministmovementweretrulyworkingfor"women
inpolitics,"Mrs.Thatcherwouldbetheirrolemodelofsuccess.
Butthesilencefromthe"women'srights"crowdisdeafening.
Feministsshowthesamenon-supportofJeaneKirkpatrick,atruly
talentedwomanwhowasaneloquentvoiceforourcountryas
ambassadorintheanti-AmericanforummisnamedtheUnited
Nations.
MargaretThatcherprovedthattheroutetosuccessforawomanis
nottheclenchedfist,thewhimperofavictim,orevenaffirmative
action.Itisthesamerouteasforaman:hardwork,perseverance,and
stickingtosound,conservativeprinciples.Ina1982interview,she
remarked,"Iowenothingtowomen'slib."Later,whenaskedifshe
wouldbea"butcher"afterherthirdelection,Mrs.Thatcher(agrocer's
daughterwhogrewupinahomewithoutaninsidetoiletorhotwater)
replied,"I'mnotagoodbutcher,butI'velearnedhowtocarvethe
joint.”
WecanthankMargaretThatcherforshowingushowtocarvethe
feministjointoutofthesubjectofrolemodelsforwomen.
1987
75
ANon-FeministNovel
GoneWiththeWind's(GWTW)fiftiethanniversaryinspiredmuch
commentaryandnostalgia,buttheusuallygarrulousfeminist
spokespersonswereconspicuousbytheirsilence.GWTWisnota
bookforfeminists.Feministideologyteachesthatwomenwere
helplessandoppressedpriortothewomen'slibmovementofthe
1970s.Theycan'taccepttherolemodelofawomanwhofaceslife's
challengeswithoutgovernmenthelp.
Womendidn'tdonuniformsandridetobattleduringtheCivilWar,
butthewomeninGWTWexhibitedthestrengthoftheSouth.When
theUnionsoldiersinvadedtheirhome,notonlythespunkyScarlett
buteventhesicklyMelaniegrabbedaweapontoprotecttheirvirtue
andtheirhome.
GWTWwasreallifetothosewhoreaditandsawthemovieinthe
late1930s.ScarlettandRhett,MelanieandAshleywererealpeople.
Tarawasaplacewehopedtoseesomeday.Indeed,visitorsin
AtlantastillaskdirectionstoTaramoreoftenthananyothertourist
attractions,notrealizingthatTaraexistsonlyinthemindsofGWTW
readers.
GoneWiththeWindcametoanAmericanpeopledevastatedbysix
yearsoftheGreatDepression—aneconomicandsocialcrisisof
immenseproportions.PresidentFranklinD.Rooseveltsaid"theonly
thingwehavetofearisfearitself,"butthatwasjustemptyrhetoricto
theunemployed.Ourproblemwasn'tfear:itwasdespair.
GoneWiththeWindisthestoryofthosewhorepudiateddefeatin
thefaceofdefeatallaroundthem.GWTWtellsthehistory(omitted
frommosthistorybooks)ofwhattheCivilWardidtotheSouth,
includingthehungercausedbydestructionofcrops,thedesolationof
burnedouthomes,thepainofwarwoundsandamputationswithout
anesthetics,andthedeathsofagenerationofyoungmen.
76
HistorybooksrecordtheheroismoftheCivilWar'sbattles,but
GWTWrecordedtheheroisminthedailylivesofwomenandmen
whohadtocopewiththewarthatcametociviliansinthecitiesand
thecountrysidefromcircumstancesbeyondtheircontrol.
AftertheFrenchRevolution,onedayafriendaskedawriter,"What
didyoudoduringtheRevolution?"Towhichthewriterreplied
simply,"Isurvived."Indeed,therearetimeswhensurvivalisthe
supremeachievement,andtheOldSouthduringandaftertheCivil
Warwassuchatime.GWTWtellsaboutthosewhosurvivedand
rebuiltwhattheylost,bysheerwillandhardlabor—withoutdisaster
relief,disabilitypayments,welfare,SocialSecurity,veteran'sbenefits,
unemploymentcompensation,foodstamps,orhousingallowances,
indeed,atatimewhengovernmentwastheenemy.
CommunistregimeshavebannedGWTW.That'sbecauseitsthemeis
contrarytotheMarxistdogmathattheindividualmustbesubmerged
intheall-powerfulstate.AsMargaretMitchellexplainedinher
publishedletters,thecommunistssuppressedGWTWintheir
countriesbecausethenovelis"aglorificationofindividualcourage
andindividualenterprise(bothqualitiesbeinghighlyobnoxiousto
communists)"andbecauseitrevereswhatthecommunistscalla
bourgeoislovethatfreepeoplehavefortheirlandandhome.
GWTWisabsentfrommosthighschoolreadinglists.Maybethat's
becausetelevision-rearedyoungstershaven'ttheintellectualstaminato
tackleaone-thousand-pagebook.Maybeit'sbecausethemajorityof
highschoolstudentsaretoovocabularypoortoreadbookswritten
priortotheeraofthedumbed-downclassics.Maybeit'sbecause
thosewhoselectschoolreadinglistsaretooeagertoassignstoriesof
defeatismanddespairandhavenotimefortalesofheroismandhope.
Whenoneofthetelevisionnetworksairedanexpensivemid-1980s
remakeofArthurMiller'sDeathofaSalesman,thecriticslaudeditas
77
adramatictriumph,butitbombedintheNielsenratings.Peopleare
not
willinglyentertainedbytalesoffailure.Mostofusprefertohear
aboutheroisminthefaceofgreatodds,aboutthestrong-willedwho
survivewhentheirworldisblownawaywiththewind,about
people'sdeterminationtoriseagainfromtheruins.
That'swhyGoneWiththeWindisasagaforallseasons.GWTW's
salesoftwenty-fivemillionbooksaresecondonlytotheBible's,and
itssharedanddeeplyfeltemotionshavenotbeenequaledbyany
otherbookinthiscountry.NooneisatrulyeducatedAmericanwho
hasnotreadGoneWiththeWind.ItisthegreatAmericannovel.
1987
GoingagroundwiththeWrongCrowd
Eversincethefeministideologuesburstintoournational
consciousnessinthemid-1960s,Ihavewonderedwheretheygot
theirpeculiarnotionsaboutmen.Feministideologyaccordingto
SimonedeBeauvoir,GloriaSteinem,BettyFriedan,KateMillett,and
GermaineGreerteachesthatmen,especiallyhusbands,areawful
creaturesandthatawifeisjustanunpaidservantmistress.Simonede
Beauvoir,whose1949bookTheSecondSexmadeherthe
acknowledgedfounderofthemodernwomen'sliberationmovement,
describedmarriageasan"obscenebourgeoisinstitution."Herbook,
whichhasbecomeastapleofuniversitywomen'sstudiescourses,is
fullofsuchnonsenseas"oneisnotborn,butratherbecomes,a
woman.”
Ithoughtallthisbittercommentarywasacreationoftheirweird
imaginations,becauseitissoatvariancewiththemenIknow.Most
Americanmenaredecentandhonorable,workinglonghours(often
moonlighting)toprovideforawifeandchildren.
Now,atlast,throughthemeticulousresearchofoneofthetwentieth
78
century'spremierhistorians,PaulJohnson,Ihavediscoveredwhere
thesefeministsgottheirnuttynotions.HisbookIntellectualsmakesit
clearthattheleft-wingintellectualsofthelasttwocenturiesreallydid
treattheirwivesandmistresseslikeunpaidservantsandusually
treatedtheirchildrenevenworse.
TheintellectualsaboutwhomJohnsonreportswerenotjustartsy
celebritieswhocouldassumethepublicwouldacceptanimmoralbohemianlifestyle.Theywerewriterswhoarrogantlypresumedto
diagnosetheillsofsociety,toprescribecures,andtotellmankind
howweshouldallliveourlivesandhowsocietyandtheeconomy
shouldbestructured.
Sohowdidtheyruntheirownlives?Theyweretypicallyselfishand
self-centered,cruelandviolent,dirty(manyofthemseldombathed),
andnevertreatedanywomenasequals.Theybuiltareputationonthe
falsehoodthattheirtheorieswouldhelptheworkingclass,butthey
neverknewanyoftheworkingclassexceptasmistresses.
Jean-JacquesRousseau,theFrenchphilosopherwhowroteprolificallyabout"truth"and"virtue,"keptanilliteratelaundressashis
mistressforthirty-threeyears,treatingherlikeanunpaidservant,
whilehecontinuedhisaffairswithmanyotherwomen.Hewrotethat
he"neverfelttheleastglimmeringofloveforher...thesensualneeds
Isatisfiedwithherwerepurelysexualandwerenothingtodowith
herasanindividual."Rousseauwasknownforhistheoriesabout
raisingchildren—asubjectheknewnothingaboutbecauseheforced
hismistresstoabandontheirfivebabiesatbirthonthedoorstepofa
foundlinghome.Heneversawthemagainbecause,hewrote,children
were"aninconvenience,"andtheirnoisewouldinterferewithhis
writing.Hisonlyconcernforhisparentswastogetcashfromthem,
andhelethisfostermother,whorescuedhimfromdestitutionatleast
fourtimes,dieindigent,possiblyfrommalnutrition.
79
ThepoetPercyByssheShelleysawhimselffirstofallasonewho
triedtodefinethesocialpurposeofliteratureandusepoetrytostir
socialaction.Hewaswildlypromiscuous,drovehisfirstwifeto
suicide,treated
hiswivesandmistressesshabbily,didnotsupporthisownchildren,
andfalselyaccusedhismotherofadultery.
KarlMarx,whohadmoreimpactonactualeventsthananyother
intellectualinmoderntimes,madehiswife'slifeanightmare.Hekept
herandtheirchildrendestitutewhilehedisdainedworkandseldom
bathed.Hedeniedhisdaughtersaneducationandvetoedtheircareers
becausehethoughtwomenweresuitableonlytobeclericalassistants.
Hekeptafemaleslaveinhishouseholdfromtheageofeight,never
paidherawage,usedherashismistress,andrefusedtoacknowledge
theirchild.ShewastheonlymemberoftheworkingclassMarxever
knewwell,andhisallegedresearchabouttheso-calledproletariatwas
afabrication.
HenrikIbsen,whoseplayADoll'sHouseisafeministfavorite
today,allowedhisfirstmistressandtheirchildtodiedestitute.He
treatedhiswifeshabbily(farworsethanthewifeinhisfamousplay)
andhadalongsuccessionofaffairswithotherwomen,whogot
youngerashegotolderuntiltheyweredowntoagefifteenandeven
ten,whomheexploitedasmodelsforcharactersinhisplays.
LeoTolstoy,whohadtheeffronterytothinkhewassomekindof
messiahdestinedtoremakesociety,usedandabusedhiswifeand
forcedhertoreadtorridaccountsofallhissexualexploitsinbrothels
andwithasuccessionofwhores,gypsies,andpeasantgirls.Hewrote
thatprostitutionis"necessaryforthemaintenanceofthefamily."He
refusedtoacknowledgehisillegitimateoffspring,andherefusedto
admitthatawomancouldbeaserious,adult,intelligenthumanbeing.
ErnestHemingwaywasabusiveandalcoholic,publiclyhumiliated
80
hisfourwives,hadnumerousaffairswithyoungerandyounger
women,andcouldnotformanykindofcivilizedrelationshipwitha
womanexceptonebasedonhercompletesubservience.One
complained,withjustification,thatshewasleading"aslave'slifewith
abruteforaslave-owner."Anotoriousliar,hewasoneofthemost
enthusiasticdefendersofthecommunistsintheSpanishCivilWar.
BertrandRussell,whogroundoutasteadystreamofadviceonalmost
everypoliticalandsocialissuefromdisarmamenttoreligion,wasone
oftheleadingnamesinthetwentieth-centurymovementto
"emancipate"womenfromVictorianmoralitythrough"freelove."He
portrayedwomenasvictimsofanantiquatedsystemofmorality,
whilehiringlawyerstogivehisex-wivesaslittlesupportaspossible.
Hehadthreewivesandseducedalmostanywomanwhowas
available,includingchambermaids,governesses,anddaughtersof
friendshehappenedtobevisiting.
Jean-PaulSartre,aprofessionalphilosopherwhopresumedtopreach
toamassaudience,alignedhimselfwiththecommunists.Whenhe
seducedSimonedeBeauvoir,hesaidhiscredowas"travel,
polygamy,transparency."Sartreusedherashismistress,cook,
laundress,seamstress,andhousekeeper,allthewhileboastingof
affairswithyoungerandyoungerwomenuntilhegottoteenagers.He
treatedherlikeaslaveanddidn'tevenleaveheranymoney.Simone
deBeauvoirwasaneducatedandablefeministandshedidn'thaveto
livelikeaservant-mistressunlessshechosethatlifestyle.
EdmundWilson,anotheradulterousliterarynotable,hadfourwives
whomheabused.Hevotedcommunistorsocialistineveryelection.
Hewasforeverdemandingbiggovernmentspendingforwelfare,but
herefusedtofilehisownincometaxreturns.
VictorGollancz,theEnglishmanwhobecamewealthypublishing
pro-communistbooks,hiredwomenemployeesbecausehecouldpay
81
themlowerwages,imposeharsherworkingconditions,andusethem
ashismistresses.Hetreatedhiswifelikeaslave,usingheras
housekeeper,chauffeur,barber,andvalet,andforcedhertoputup
withhisfrequentadulteryandhisdisagreeablehabitofpawingother
womeninpublic.Likemanyoftheotherpro-communistintellectuals
ofhistime,hehadnocontactwithworkingpeople.Herefusedto
publishthemostbrilliantauthorwhosebookswereofferedtohim,
theanti-communistGeorgeOrwell.
PaulJohnson'sIntellectualsprovesthatthepublicpostureoffamous
left-wingintellectualscannotbeseparatedfromtheirprivatelives.The
oneexplainstheother.Womenwere"loved"onlyinsofarasthey
wereservileandacquiescedinbeingtreatedlikeman'sproperty.
Fortunately,thebizarrefeministtheoriesaboutmenandmarriageare
trueonlyofthecrowdtheychoosetoassociatewith—theleft-wing
intellectuals.
Iwouldnotwantanyonetogettheimpressionthatthesubstanceof
thisimportantbookistorecountsexualrelationships.PaulJohnson's
primarythesisisthattheleftistintellectualswereliarswhohadno
regardforthetruthandfalsified"evidence"fortheircommunistor
socialisteconomictheories.That'snotsurprising,sinceamanwho
spendshislifelyingtowomenwillprobablylieabouteverythingelse,
too.Forthatstory,you'llhavetoreadIntellectuals.
1989
The^Monsterbehindthe^Myth
Whataloathsome,depraved,andviciousmonster!That'sthe
conclusiononeisforcedtoacceptafterreadingthedefinitiveexpose,
Picasso:CreatorandDestroyer,byAriannaStassinopoulos
HufEngton.
ThebiographerstrippedoffPabloPicasso'sphonymaskofartand
showedhimtotheworldasasadistwhostartedinbrothelsandspent
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aninety-yearlifetimeabusing,beating,anddeliberatelyhumiliatinga
longsuccessionofwomenwholovedhim.Alongtheway,he
betrayedhisfriendsandcalculatedthedestructionofeveryonewho
crossedhispath.
ThetruthaboutPicassohasbeenalongtimeemerging.Fortunately,
itfellintothehandsofanauthorwhosedescriptiveskills,powerful
vocabulary,empathywithvictims,andsenseofdramawereequalto
thetaskofrelatingthissordidstory.
Picassohaslongbeenacclaimedasthegreatestartistofthetwentieth
century.Picassohimselforchestratedthatadulationbyanexpert
manipulationofpublicattitudesandvenalitiesinawaythatMadison
Avenueadvertisingcompaniesmightenvy.AsMrs.Huffington
reports,"Picassohadmasteredthepublicitygamebeforetheworld
knewthatsuchagameexisted.”
Picassostandsinaclassbyhimselfashavingmilkedthepublic
duringhisownlifetimeformorecashthananyotherartistinhistory.
Themorethantenthousandworkshehadproducedby1961were
thenestimatedtohaveacommercialvalueof$100,000,000.
Picassotreatedhiscustomerswiththesamecontemptashetreated
hismistresses,wives,andfriends.In1912,Picassodenounced
beautyas"crap"andsethimselfonhispathofdeliberateugliness.
"Museumsarejustalotoflies,"Picassosaidinthe1930s,"and
peoplewhomakearttheirbusinessaremostlyimpostors."Heshould
know,sincehewashimselfthechiefcharlatan.Ina1952interview
withtheItalianwriterGiovanniPapini,Picassoconfessedhowhe
exploitedtheindolentwealthywho"desireonlythepeculiar,the
sensational,theeccentric,thescandalousintoday'sart.""Through
amusingmyselfwithallthesefarces,"Picassoadmitted,"Ibecamea
celebrity....ButwhenIamalone,Idonothavetheeffronteryto
considermyselfanartistatall,inthegrandoldmeaningoftheword.I
83
amonlyapublicclown,amountebank.Ihaveunderstoodmytime
andhaveexploitedtheimbecility,thevanity,thegreedofmy
contemporaries.”
UponjoiningtheCommunistPartyafterWorldWar11,hesaid
doingsowas"thelogicalconclusionofmywholelife,mywhole
work."TheSovietUnionawardedhimtheLeninPeacePrizein1962
andadoptedhispeacedovepaintingasacommunistsymbol.
Picassowascruellydomineeringandmorbidlypossessiveofhis
mistresses,evenwhilehewasfaithlesstothemall.Hewas
vindictivelyjealousofeverycontemporarymanorwomanwho
displayedtalent.Picassoseducedanunderagegirlatachildren's
camp,inflictingonher
theexoticsexualexperimentationhehadlearnedinthirtyyearsof
sexualexperiences.HepaintedhisviolentGuernicaastwoofhis
mistresseswereengagedinafistfightalongsideofhiminhisstudio.
PicassobrutallybeathismistressDoraandmanytimesleftherlying
unconsciousonthefloor.HeburnedhismistressFrancoise'scheek
withacigaretteandtoldher,"There'snothingsosimilartoonepoodle
dogasanotherpoodledog,andthatgoesforwomen,too."Picasso
callouslyrefusedtoinconveniencehimselfbydrivingafewblocks
outofhiswaytotakeFrancoisetothehospitaltohaveherbaby,
tellinghertofindherownwaybecauseheneededthechauffeurto
drivehimtothe1949WorldPeaceCongress.
Picasso'sdisorderedpaintingsweremirrorsofhisdeepanduniversal
hatredofwomenandhisattitudethatawomanisaservileanimal.
Womenwithdistortedanddeformedfacesandbodiesfilledhis
paintingsthatpurportedtoportraythemodernistworld.Picasso'slast
self-portrait,paintedin1972ayearbeforehisdeath,depictsthefinal
anguishanddespairofthisegomaniac,eventhenstillfueledby
hatred.Hiswidow,hislongtimemistress,andhisgrandsonall
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committedsuicideafterhisdeath.
Mrs.Huffingtonhasperformedaninternationalservicetohumanity
byexposingthehypocrisyofPicasso:hissadisticabuseofwomen
concealedbehindhisso-calledcharisma,hisviolenceconcealed
behindhisdoveofpeace,andhislifepatternasadestroyer(of
women,friends,values,andtraditionalbeauty)concealedbehindhis
pretensionsofart.
1989
reinventingthefamily
WhenNewsweekdevotedanentireissueofonehundredpages(less
ads)to"The21stCenturyFamily"inNovember1989,thelead
sentencewas
"TheAmericanfamilydoesnotexist."Incaseyouareamemberof
thistime-honoredinstitutionwhichNewsweekrelegatedtotheageof
the1950s(intheeyesoftheauthors,justasremoteastheageofthe
dinosaur),perhapsyoushoulddoyourown"hardthinkingabout
whatafamilyisfor"insteadofrelyingonthethinkingofwritersof
undisclosedfamilystatusandsexualormaritalpreferences.
Newsweekpontificatedthatitwas"inevitable"that"we"would
"reinvent"thefamily."We,"itseems,meansthedozenorsowriters
whocontributedtothisissue.
Thisredefinitionofthefamily,accordingtoNewsweek,includes
familiesofdivorcedparentsandstepchildren,unmarriedcouples
livingtogether,singlewomendeliberatelyhavingbabiesbydonor
insemination,gayandlesbiancoupleswithorwithoutchildren,
grandparentsraisingchildren,andgeneticallymade-to-orderbabies.
Proclaimingthat"mostscholarsnowconsiderthe'breadwinnerhomemaker'modelunusual,applicableinlimitedcircumstancesfora
limitedtime,"Newsweekdidn'tincludethismodelamongthecurrent
family"varieties.”
85
NewsweekseemstothinkthattheOzzie-and-Harrietlifestylewas
createdandvalidatedbytelevisionandthatthemediacannowplay
Godanddesignadifferentversionforthe1990s.
ButisthenewfamilydescribedinNewsweekanimprovement?
Doesitserveourgoalsofprovidingabasefromwhichtofacelife's
challenges,asafehaventocareforouryoung,anestwhereloveand
companionshipcangrow,andanencouragementtonurtureeachother
throughlife'smanystagesofaging?Onesearchesthepagesinvainto
findpositiveanswerstothesequestions.
Ifyoustickwiththeissuetothebitterend,youwillfindthat
Newsweekreportedthenewevidencethatinfantsindaycarefor
twentyormorehoursaweekareatriskandthatthehighturnoverrate
amongpaidcaregiversandthehighdiseaserateofinstitutionalized
childrenmakedaycareaveryuncertainandunhappyplacefor
children.
Backonpageninety-two,Newsweekruefullyadmits:"Despitethe
compellingevidenceaboutthedarksideofdaycare,manyexpertssay
there'sagreatreluctancetodiscusstheseproblemspublicly."Why?
"Becausethey'reafraidtherightwingwillusethistosaythatonly
motherscancareforbabies,sowomenshouldstayhome.”
Whattheliberalsandthefeministsarereallyafraidofisnottheright
wingbuttheeternaltruththatthetraditionalfamilyisstillthebestway
tolive,andthatbabiesstillneedmothersinthehome.
1990
Warofthe''Roses
ThemovieWaroftheRosesis,surprisingly,anold-fashioned
moralityplaylurkingbehindanR-ratedmoviewithbadwordsand
embarrassinglyexplicitsexualscenes.Themoralofthis1990black
comedyisthat,ofalltheoptionsamarriedcouplecanchoose,divorce
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istheworst.Lesson-masterDannyDeVitogivesittousstraightand
unvarnishedattheendofacoupleofexhaustinghours.
Theplotisassimpleasthespecialeffectsareimprobableand
convoluted.Boymeetsgirl;theymarryandhavetwochildren;
husbandisasuccessfullawyerandmakeslotsofmoney;theybuy
andfurnishthehouseofherdreams.Theyhaveeighteenyearsofa
goodmarriage:goodsex,goodincome,goodchildren,noadultery,
noalcoholism,nopoverty,noabuse,andnoworries.Theirbiggest
problemismakinghouse-decoratingchoices.
Thenoneday,outoftheblueinthemiddleofthenight,Mrs.Rose
announcesthatshewantsadivorce:shejustdoesn'twanttolivewith
Mr.Roseanymore.Therewasnoprovocation,nofault;shedidn't
evendeigntoofferareason.Althoughshecertainlywasnolady,she
expectedhimtoplaythestereotypicalgentlemanandgetout,leaving
hertoenjoythehousethattheyhadbuilt.Tohersurpriseanddismay,
hefought
tokeepthemarriagecontracttheybothhadsignedand,atthevery
least,forhisequalrightstotheirhouse.
Tenyearsearlier,inthemovieKramerv.Kramer,thedivorcing
couplefoughtforcustodyoftheirchild.It'samarkofourageof
materialismthat,inWaroftheRoses,thecouplefoughtfor
possessionofthehouse,andcustodyofthechildrenwasirrelevant.
Themovieissobusywiththephysicalandemotionalconfrontation
betweentheRosesthatonescarcelyhastimetoaskwhyMrs.Rose
wantsadivorce.Theonlymotiveonecanreasonablydeducefromthe
scriptisthatMrs.Rosesuccumbedtothediseaseofwomen's
liberation.Feministideologyteachesawomantorankherownselffulfillmentaboveeveryothervalue,includingsolemnpromises,
husband,andchildren.Mrs.Rosesuddenlydecidedthatshewouldbe
morepersonallyfulfilledifshelivedaloneandranalittlecatering
87
businessmakingliverpateunderherownname.
ThepopularityofWaroftheRosesamongmoviegoerswasprobably
dueprimarilytothefactthatittouchedatendernerveincontemporary
society.Somepeoplearebeginningtolamentthefalloutfromthe
fundamentalchangeinourdivorcelawthatsweptthroughfiftystate
legislaturesduringthe1970s,startingwithtrendyCaliforniain1969
andendingwithIllinoisin1984.
Thefeministsarguedthateasy,no-faultdivorcewouldspell
liberationforwomen.Whatitreallydidwastoenableonespouseto
terminateamarriagecontractwithouttheconsentoftheother,and
virtuallywithoutpenalty.Divorce"reform"lawseliminated"fault,"
supposedlyinordertopreventbitterness.AstheKramersandthe
Rosesconfirm,bitternessdoesnotgoaway:itjusttakesotherforms.
Atthepeakofthewomen'sliberationmovementinJanuary1975,
BarbaraWaltersconfidentlyproclaimedinathree-hourNBC
televisionspecialcalledOfWomenandMenthatwivesshouldbe
liberatedfromtheirmenialroleandfromtheprisonofahome.We
wereenteringa
neweraof"serialmarriages,"sheclaimed,whichmeansasuccession
oftemporaryroommates,withoutcommitmentorresponsibility.
Probablymorewomenthanmenhavebeenhurtbythischange
becausemorementhanwomenhavetheopportunitytoexchangea
spouseoftwentyyearsforayoungermodel.Butplentyofmenhave
beenhurt,too,notsomuchbywiveswhoseekanew,more
successfulhusband,butbywiveswhowanttogoitalone,while
manipulatingoldtraditionstohangontocustodyofthechildrenand
thehouse.
Currentfiguresshowthatmorethan60percentofsecondmarriages
endindivorce,butfortunately,wearebeginningtoseethedivorce
88
rateinchingdown:1989ratesaredownfourpercentfrom1988.One
newspaperhasevencalledtryingtoworkthingsoutandstayhitched
the"contemporarything.”
Psychologistsaretryingtofigureoutwhy.Perhapsthebaby
boomersarematuringoutoftheMegeneration.Perhapsthefearof
AIDSandothersexuallytransmitteddiseasesispersuadingcouples
tostaytogether.Perhapsthepost-divorcestatisticsarehavinga
chillingeffectontherushtodivorce.
PsychologistDr.DianeMedvedstartedtowriteabooktohelp
peoplewithdecisionmakingaboutthe"morallyneutral"optionof
divorce.Whenshefacedtherealityofherdata,shefoundherself
compelledtowriteTheCaseAgainstDivorce.Thatcaseispowerful,
indeed.
1990
MachoVictims
Thewholeideaofpaintingalawyerasa"victim"ofwordsspokenin
theworkplaceshowshowoutoftouchwiththerealworldthe
feministsare.TheAmericanpeoplehaveabigwarmheartand
unlimitedempathyforvictimsandunderdogs.Wesenddonationsto
victimsof
earthquakesandvolcanoes.Atballgames,wecheerfortheteamthat
isbehind.ButlawyersarenotontheAmericanpeople'slistofpeople
wefeelsorryfor.
Whichwasmoreridiculous:tryingtopassoffattorneyAnitaHillas
a"victim"ofsomebadwordsintheworkplaceordependingon
SenatorTedKennedy(D-MA)tocarrytheflagofrighteous
indignationagainstsexualharassment?AsanEEOClawyer,Anita
Hillknewexactlyhowtocopewithsexualharassment,ifshehad
eversufferedanyfromClarenceThomasoranyoneelse.
89
Theverynatureofbeingalawyeristothriveinahostile
environment.Alawyercomplainingaboutthisislikeadoctor
complainingaboutworkinginabloodyenvironment.Thenatureof
beingadoctoristoseebloodalmosteveryday,oftenintraumatic
circumstances.Adoctorwhocan'ttakethesightofbloodanda
lawyerwhocan'ttakeahostileenvironmentareinthewrong
professions.
Inthe1970s,thefeministspaintedwomenashelplessvictimsofan
oppressivemale-dominatedsociety.TheNationalOrganizationfor
Womenranspotannouncementsontelevisionstationsandadsin
magazinesandnewspapersshowingadarling,curly-headedchild.
Thecaptionunderthepictureexplained:"Thisnormal,healthychild
wasbornwithahandicap.Shewasbornfemale."Thestarting
assumptionofthewomen'sliberationmovementisthatsomebody—it
isn'tclearwho,Godortheestablishmentoraconspiracyofmale
chauvinistpigs—dealtwomenafoulblowbymakingthemfemale,
andit'suptosocietytoremedycenturiesofoppression.Feminists
learnedearlythatplayingtheroleofvictimassureseasyaccesstothe
media.
Bythe1980s,thefeministsweretryingtohaveitbothways.Atthe
sametimethattheycoverthemselveswithvictimstatus,theyclaim
theyaresomachothattheycandoanythingamancando.Themacho
feministisillustratedbyThelmaandLouise,amoviethatisimportant
onlybecausethefeministsandtheirmediafriendshavewrittenso
muchfavorablecommentaryaboutit.Timemagazinemadeitacover
story!
Tosaveyouthetroubleofgoingtoseethisdepressingmovie,hereis
asummary.
ThelmaandLouiseareacoupleofmachofeminists,toughandgun
toting,ridingthehighwaysasgoodbuddies.Allmeninthemovieare
90
slobsandbullieswhovictimizewomen—andthat'stherationalefor
ThelmaandLouisebehavingthewaytheydo.Theirattitudetoward
menisillustratedbytheirstuffingapolicemaninthetrunkofthecar
andslammingitshut;it'sclearthatallmendeservetobehumiliated
becausetheyaremarkedwiththecollectiveguiltoftheirgender.
Attheendofthismovie,themachofeministsdemonstratetheir
liberationfrommenbydrivingoffaclifftogetherinasuicidepact.
Theirfinaldecisionwasmadefreely,withoutordersfromanyman,
provingthattheyaretrulyliberatedatlast.Deathfreesthemachofeministbuddiesfromhavingtosufferthefateoflivinginamaledominatedworld.
1991
ThefeministWaragainst(^Marriage
Thewaronmarriagethatthefeministsinacademiaarewaginghitme
whenIreceivedtheWinterissueofmyalmamater'salumnae
magazine,theKadcliffeQuarterly.Inalloffifty-twopages,underthe
heading"ScenesfromtheFamily,"theeditorsdidn'tincludeany
discussionofasuccessfulfamilybasedonamanandawoman
honoringtheirsolemnpromises"tohaveandtohold...forbetter,for
worse...tilldeathdouspart.”
Instead,thefeaturearticlelaiddownthefeministlinethatawoman's
identitydisappearsinmarriageandthat"marriageisbadforyou,at
leastifyou'refemale."Withoutanyshame,theauthoradmittedthat
sheacquiredherhusbandbybreakingupanothermarriagethathad
lastedfifteenyearsandproducedthreechildren.Sheargued,"Instead
ofget
tingmarriedforlife,menandwomen(inwhatevercombinationsuits
theirsexualorientation)shouldsignupforaseven-yearhitch."They
may"reenlist"foranotherseven,butafterthatthemarriageis"over."
Anotherarticledescribeda"marriage"oflesbiansinSanFrancisco.
Stillanotherextolledthewonderfullifeofachildbornoutof
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wedlock,andyetanotherexplaineddivorceas"asignificantlifeevent
thatconfrontsindividualswiththeopportunitytochange.”
TheNewYork-basedInstituteforAmericanValuesmadeastudyof
twentypost-1994collegesocialsciencetextbooksusedineight
thousandcollegecourses.CalledClosedHearts,ClosedMinds,the
reportconcludesthatmostofthesetextbooksgiveapessimistic,ifnot
downrighthostile,viewofmarriage,emphasizingmaritalfailures
ratherthanitsjoysandbenefits.
Collegetextbooksviewmarriageasespeciallybleakforwomen.The
textbooksareinordinatelypreoccupiedwithdomesticviolenceand
divorce,andviewmarriageasarchaicandoppressive,notjust
occasionally,butinherently.Sometextbooksarelardedwithantifamilyrhetoric.ChangingFamiliesbyJudyRootAulettefocuseson
battering,maritalrapeanddivorce,withnomentionofanybenefitsof
marriage.
Thetextbooksgivetheimpressionthatchildrendon'tneedtwo
parentsandaren'tharmedbydivorce.Theyomitalltheevidencethat
childreninsingle-parenthomesarefarmoreatriskthanchildrenin
two-parenthomes.CuttingLoose:WhyWomenWhoEndTheir
MarriagesDoSoWellbyAshtonApplewhiteisanexampleofthe
newgenreofbooksattackingmarriageasabaddealforwomen.The
authordumpedherhusbandafterreadingfeministSusanFaludi's
Backlash.Applewhiteseekssocialapprovalforherwalkoutby
encouragingmiddle-agedwomentofindindependencebydoing
likewise.Shegivesadviceonhowtodealwithlawyers,manipulate
childcustodyarrangements,andfindnewrelationships.
Thepublicationofanothernewbook,OnOurOwn:Unmarried
MotherhoodinAmericabyMelissaLuddtke,attractedHillary
Rodham
Clinton,MarylandlieutenantgovernorKathleenKennedyTownsend
92
andSenatorTedKennedytoabookpartyatthehomeofPBS
journalistEllenHume.Mrs.Clintonwasthankedforherassistanceas
a"readerofthebookinprogress.”
Whenthesexualrevolutionandthefeministrevolutionblastedinto
America'ssocialconsciousnessinthelate1960sand1970s,the
voicesraisedagainstthemcameprimarilyfromolderwomen.Now
wearestartingtoseeacutebitternessfromthegenerationthatbelieved
theliberationistliesandhavediscoveredthat,contrarytofeminist
ideology,women,indeed,haveabiologicalclock.
TheIndependentWomen'sForum'sWomen'sQuarterly(Autumn
1997)isguaranteedtoenragethefeminists.Called"Let'sFaceIt,
Girls:TheSexualRevolutionWasaMistake,"itlevelsabroadside
attackonthefeministsforteachingyoungwomenthatliberationand
fulfillmentcomefromrompingaroundlikemenincasualsexwhile
buildingtheirall-importantcareers.Theyareangrybecausethey
discoveredtoolatethatthecostofuncommittedsexualrelationshipsis
that"thewindowforgettingmarriedandhavingchildrenisway
smallerthanonecanpossiblyforeseeatage25.”
So,weheartheanguishofbabylessfortyishwomenfrustratedby
theirinabilitytogetpregnant,spendingtheirmoneyandtearson
chemicalsandonclinicsdispensingprocedureswithhighfailure
rates.They'veevenrealizedthatalotoffemaleinfertilitycomesfrom
sexuallytransmitteddiseases,andthat'sahighpricetopayforthose
dead-endserialrelationships.
IntheWomen'sQuarterly,CarolynGragliaexposesthe
consequencesofthefoolishfeministnotionthatmenandwomenare
equalintheirsexualdesires.Thismyth,whichiscontrarytoall
humanexperience,hasdeprivedwomenofthesocialsupportthey
needtorefusetoengageincasualsex.
Farfrombeingempoweredintheirrelationswithmen,thismythhas
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causedwomentolosecontroloverordinaryrelationships.Adult,
educatedwomenarenowdemandingthatthegovernment(orplaintiff
attorneys)protectthemfromdaterapeandsexualharassmentin
situationsthat,inthepre-feministera,unsophisticatedhighschool
girlscouldhandlewithconfidence,knowingthata"No"wouldbe
respected.
1997
G.I.Jane:feministRoleModel
G.I.Jane,directedbyRidleyScott,isafittingsequeltohis1991
movieThelmaandLouise.Bothfilmsidealizethefoul-mouthed,guntotingwomanwhotriumphsovertheperceiveddiscriminations
perpetratedbyanunfairmale-dominatedsociety.
ThelmaandLouisefreedthemselvesfromanoppressivepatriarchal
societybydrivingtheircaroffacliff.Theirdoublesuicideproved
theywereliberatedbecausetheymadethatfataldecisionindependent
ofmalecoercion.
G.I.Jane(DemiMoore)provessheisaliberatedwomanbygetting
herselfbeatentoabloodypulp,almostraped,andsubjectedto
extremebodilyharassment.Tothefeminists,thisisokaybecauseher
goalistobetreatedjustlikemen.Thisisthekindofequalitythe
feministmovementhasalwayssought(andwhytheyremaina
ridiculoussubsetoftheleftwingoftheDemocraticParty,faroutside
ofthemainstream).Thefeminists'legaloracleintheyearsbefore
RuthBaderGinsburgemerged,YaleLawSchoolprofessorThomas
I.Emerson,describedthegoalofgenderequalityintheYaleLaw
Journal'(April1971):"Asbetweenbrutalizingouryoungmenand
brutalizingouryoungwomen,thereislittletochoose.”
ThemovieG.I.JanewasapparentlydesignedtomakeAmericans
believethemyththatwomencanperformincombatjustlikemen,
eveninthetoughestbranchoftheservices,theNavySEALS.Butthe
94
movie
reallydoesn'thelpthefeministcausebecausethevillainisa
loudmouthedTexasfemalesenator(supposedlymodeledon
RepresentativePatriciaSchroederandformerTexasgovernorAnn
Richards),whosesportistohumiliatemilitaryofficersfornotfully
integratingwomenintocombatjobs.InordertokeepherSenateseat,
shespikesG.I.Jane'scareerintheSEALSbyfalselyaccusingherof
lesbianism.
G.I.Janeprovesthatwomencantakeabeatingaswellasaman,but
sowhat?Themovieshowsthatshelackstheupperbodystrengthto
pullherselfoutofthewaterintoaboat,aratherelementarytestfor
anyoneseekingtobeaNavySEAL.ThepretensethatG.I.Janecould
doeverythingtheSEALSdoisaHollywoodfictioncreatedwithtrick
photography,makeup,andastand-inforthestar.It'sallasmakebelieveasthescenewhereherSEALcommandertalkstoherinthe
showerandsomehowdoesn'tnoticethatshe'snude.
Butmoreimportantthanthedishonestyofitalliswhatthefeminists
aredoingtoAmericaandtotherelationshipofmenandwomen.
WhenG.I.Janeisbeingbeatenandalmostrapedinthemovie,wecan
seethehorrorinthefacesoftheSEALSwhowatch,andtheir
contemptforthemasterchiefwhoperformsthistrainingexercise.
TheyjoinedtheNavytobecomerealmen,andnowaretrainedtobe
passivewhilewatchingawomanbeatenandraped!It'scalled
sensitivitytrainingtodesensitizemenabouttheabuseand
mistreatmentofwomen.
Trainingcivilizedyoungmentosuppressanyinclinationstobe
protectiveandcourteoustowardwomenisnotmerelywrongand
stupid,itisevilandwicked.Wehavenorespectforthemenwho
participateinprogrammingmentotreatwomenasthoughtheyare
men.
95
Civilizationisonthechoppingblock.Thefeministshavenotgiven
usprogressforwomen;theyareturningmenintothestereotypeof
thecavemanwhodragshiswomanbyherhair.
1997
Who'sHomeAloneNow?
America'smassivenewsgatheringapparatusandround-the-clock
coverageshouldleaveussaturatedwithnews.Yettwoliberal-leaning
authorshavetackledasubjectconsistentlyoff-limitsinpublicdebate.
SylviaHewlett,inhermuchpublicizedbookCreatingaLife,
breathlesslyrevealswhatshecallsa"well-keptsecret,"namely,that
"atmid-life,betweenathirdandhalfofallhigh-achievingwomenin
Americadonothavechildren,"andmostofthemdidnotchoosetobe
childless.BernardGoldberg,inhisbest-sellingbookBias,tellsus
that"themostimportantstoryyouneversawonTV"is"theterrible
thingsthatarehappeningtoAmerica'schildren"because"mothers
haveoptedforworkoutsideofthehouseovertakingcareoftheir
childrenathome.”
Thesesocialcommentariesaretwosidesofthesamecoin.The
feministmovement,whichfloweredinthe1970s,persuadedyoung
womentooptforacareerin"aman'sworld,"andwhethertheyended
upwithorwithoutachild,theydon'trelishsuggestionsthattheywere
mistakenintheirpriorities.
Hewlett'sbookisacompilationofdepressinginterviewswith
womenwhobrokebusinessbarriersandachievedenormouscareer
success,nowearningsix-figureincomes,butarenothappy.They
confideinHewletthowtheyyearnforababy,enduringexpensive
andhumiliatingmedicalprocedurestryingtogetpregnant,ortraveling
totheendsoftheearthtoadopt.
96
Goldberg'sbook,whichisanexposeofthebiasesofthemediaelite,
describeshowfemalemediaexecutiveswhodohavechildrendrop
themoffeverymorningindaycareorleavethemwithananny,and
thenarefiercelyhostiletoanycriticismoftheplightoftheirchildren.
Thefeministshavemadeittabooforthemediatoreportordebatethe
socialcostsofthefactthatmillionsofAmericanchildrenhavebeen
lefttofendforthemselves,"withdireconsequences.”
Goldbergsaysthatthesefeministshavesocompletelyintimidated
mediaelitesthatalltheTVanchormenroutinelydismissanynegative
newsaboutdaycarewiththeirfavoriteepithet,"controversial,"and
eventoughSamDonaldson"turnsintoasnivelingwimpwhenit
comestochallengingfeminists."Feministsreacttoanydiscussion
aboutthetroublesoflatchkeykidsoraboutdaycare'sdiseasesand
behaviorproblemsasthoughitwereapersonalattackonthemothers
aswellasonthefeministmovement.
ANewYorkTimesfront-pagearticlelabeledHewlett'sbook"the
publishingworld'smysteryoftheyear"becauseit'sbeenatotalflop
inthemarketplaceafterreceivingunprecedentedfreepublicity.Whyis
anybodysurprised?EvenOprah,60Minutes,thecoversofTimeand
NewYorkmagazines,andthemorningandeveningtelevisionshows
can'tmakewomenbuyabookthatrubssaltinthewoundopenedby
thecentralfeministmistake.
WhileGoldbergworriesabouttheplightofhome-alonechildren,
Hewlettisbusyportrayingcareer-mindedwomenasvictims.She
thinksthatwhen49percentof$ioo,ooo-a-yearwomenexecutives,
butonly19percentofmenexecutives,arechildless,thatproveshardheartedemployersandgovernmenthavediscriminatedagainstwomen
duringtheirchildbearingyears.
Hewlettthinksshehasmadeasensationaldiscoverythatwomen
afteragefortyarelessfertilethantheywereintheirtwenties.Our
97
oppressivemale-dominatedAmericansocietyhasforcedwomeninto
a"crueltrade-off":iftheyfocusontheircareersintheiryouth,it's
extremelydifficulttogetpregnantafterageforty.
Hewlett'ssolutionfortheproblemsofthesuccessfulcareerwomenis
preferentialtreatment(notequality!)bybothemployersand
government.Shewantsemployerstogiveeveryworkingparenta
"timebank"ofsixmonthsofpaidleavetobetakenattheemployee's
optionuntileachchildreachesageeighteen,plusaMommyTrackof
reducedworkinghourswithoutdiminishedpayandpromotions.
HewlettthinksEuropeancountriesaremuchbetterforwomen,
especiallySweden,wheremotherscanlimittheirworkdaytosix
hoursuntileachchildiseightyearsold.Shedoesn'ttellusthatfew
Swedishwomenearn$100,000ayear.
Likeatypicalfeminist,Hewlettisfullofplansformoregovernment
spendingandregulation.Shewantsevensmallcompaniestobe
forcedtogivewomenpaidmedicalleave,taxincentivesfor
companiesthatgivewomenpaidtimeoff,andlegislationtoprevent
employersfromrequiringlongerhoursofwork.
Goldbergshowshowthemediaelite"havetakensides."Insteadof
anyonesayingontelevisionthatkidswoulddobetterifaparentwere
homeafterschool,wegetso-calledexpertscallingformorequality
daycareandlegislationtoenableemployedmotherstocontinue
workingoutofthehomeandspendlesstimewiththeirchildren.
2002
Ill
QuestioningaWoman'sPlace
Ohowfullofbriersisthisworking-dayworld!AsYouLikeIt
98
What'sWrongwithEqualRightsforWomen1?
Ofalltheclassesofpeoplewhoeverlived,theAmericanwomanis
themostprivileged.Wehavethemostrightsandrewards,andthe
fewestduties.Ouruniquestatusistheresultofafortunate
combinationofcircumstances.
Wehavetheimmensegoodfortunetoliveinacivilizationthat
respectsthefamilyasthebasicunitofsociety.Thisrespectispartand
parcelofourlawsandcustoms.Itisbasedonthefactoflife—which
nolegislationoragitationcanerase—thatwomenhavebabiesand
mendon't.
Ifyoudon'tlikethisfundamentaldifference,youwillhavetotakeup
yourcomplaintwithGodbecauseHecreatedusthisway.Thefact
thatwomen,notmen,havebabiesisnotthefaultofselfishand
domineeringmen,ortheestablishment,oranycliqueofconspirators
whowanttooppresswomen.It'ssimplythewayGodmadeus.
OurJudeo-Christiancivilizationhasdevelopedthelawandcustom
that,sincewomenbearthephysicalconsequencesofthesexact,men
mustberequiredtopayinotherways.Theselawsandcustoms
decreethatamanmustcarryhissharebyphysicalprotectionand
financialsupportofhischildrenandofthewomanwhobearshis
children,andalsobyacodeofbehaviorthatbenefitsandprotects
boththewomanandthechildren.
Thisisaccomplishedbytheinstitutionofthefamily.Ourrespectfor
thefamilyasthebasicunitofsociety,whichisingrainedinthelaws
andcustomsofourJudeo-Christiancivilization,isthegreatestsingle
achievementinthehistoryofwomen'srights.Itassuresawomanthe
mostpreciousandimportantrightofall—therighttokeepherown
babyandtobesupportedandprotectedintheenjoymentofwatching
herbabygrowanddevelop.
99
Theinstitutionofthefamilyisadvantageousforwomenformany
reasons.Afterall,whatdowewantoutoflife?Toloveandbeloved?
Mankindhasnotdiscoveredabetternestforalifetimeofreciprocal
love.Asenseofachievement?Amanmaysearchthirtytofortyyears
foraccomplishmentinhisprofession.Awomancanenjoyreal
achievementwhensheisyoungbyhavingababy.Shecanhavethe
satisfactionofdoingajobwell—andbeingrecognizedforit.
Dowewantfinancialsecurity?Wearefortunatetohavethegreat
legacyofMoses,theTenCommandments,especially"Honorthy
fatherandthymotherthatthydaysmaybelongupontheland."
Childrenareawoman'sbestsocialsecurity—herbestguaranteeof
socialbenefitssuchasoldagepension,unemploymentcompensation,
worker'scompensation,andsickleave.Thefamilygivesawomanthe
physical,financial,andemotionalsecurityofthehomeforallherlife.
ThesecondreasonwhyAmericanwomenareaprivilegedgroupis
thatwearethebeneficiariesofatraditionofspecialrespectfor
womenthatdatesfromtheChristianAgeofChivalry.Thehonorand
respectpaidtoMary,theMotherofChrist,resultedinallwomen,in
effect,beingputonapedestal.
Thisrespectforwomenisnotjustthelipservicethatpoliticianspay
toGod,Motherhood,andtheFlag.Itisnot—assomeagitatorsseem
tothink—justamatterofopeningdoorsforwomen,seeingthatthey
areseatedfirst,carryingtheirbundles,andhelpingtheminandoutof
automobiles.Suchgoodmannersaremerelythesuperficialevidences
ofatotalattitudetowardwomenthatexpressesitselfinmanymore
tangibleways,suchasmoney.
Inothercivilizations,suchastheAfricanandtheAmericanIndian,
themenstrutaroundwearingfeathersandbeads,andhuntingand
fishing(greatsportformen!),whilethewomendoallthehard,
tiresome
100
drudgery,includingthetillingofthesoil(ifanyisdone),thehewing
ofwood,themakingoffires,thecarryingofwater,aswellasthe
cooking,sewing,andcaringforbabies.
ThisisnottheAmericanwaybecausewewereluckyenoughto
inheritthetraditionsoftheAgeofChivalry.InAmerica,aman'sfirst
significantpurchase(afteracar)isadiamondforhisbride,andthe
largestfinancialinvestmentofhislifeisahomeforhertolivein.
Americanhusbandsworkhoursofovertimetokeeptheirwivesin
fashion,andtopaypremiumsontheirlifeinsurancepoliciesto
providefortheirwidow'scomfort(benefitsinwhichthehusbandcan
nevershare).
InthestatesthatfollowtheEnglishcommonlaw,awifehasadower
rightinherhusband'srealestatewhichhecannottakeawayfromher
duringlifeorbyhiswill.Amancannotdisposeofhisrealestate
withouthiswife'ssignature.Anysaleissubjecttoherone-third
interest.
WomenfareevenbetterinthestatesthatfollowtheSpanishand
Frenchcommunitypropertylaws,suchasCalifornia,Arizona,Texas,
andLouisiana.ThephilosophyoftheSpanishandFrenchlawisthat
awife'sworkinthehomeisjustasvaluableasahusband'sworkat
hisjob.Incommunity-propertystates,awifeownsone-halfofallthe
propertyandincomeherhusbandearnsduringthemarriage,andhe
cannottakeitawayfromher.
InIllinois,asaresultofagitationby"equalrights"fanatics,therealestatedowerlawswererepealedasofJanuary1,1972.Thismeans
thatinIllinoisahusbandcannowsellthefamilyhome,spendthe
moneyonhisgirlfriendorgambleitaway,andhisfaithfulwifeof
thirtyyearscannotstophim."Equalrights"fanaticshavealso
deprivedwomeninIllinoisandinsomeotherstatesofmostoftheir
basiccommon-lawrightstorecoverdamagesforbreachofpromiseto
101
marry,seduction,criminalconversation,andalienationofaffections.
ThethirdreasonwhyAmericanwomenaresowelloffisthatthe
Americanfreeenterprisesystemhasproducedremarkableinventors
whohaveliftedthebackbreaking"women'swork"fromour
shoulders.
Inothercountriesandinothereras,itwastrulysaidthat"Manmay
workfromsunuptosundown,butwoman'sworkisneverdone."
Womenlaboredeverywakinghour—preparingfoodonwoodburningstoves,makingflour,bakingbreadinstoneovens,spinning
yarn,makingclothes,makingsoap,doingthelaundrybyhand,
heatingirons,makingcandlesforlightandfiresforwarmth,and
tryingtonursetheirbabiesthroughillnesseswithoutmedicalcare.
TherealliberationofwomenfromthatdrudgeryistheAmericanfree
enterprisesystem,whichstimulatedinventivegeniusestopursuetheir
talents—andweallreaptheprofits.Thegreatheroesofwomen's
liberationarenotthestragglyhairedwomenontelevisiontalkshows
andpicketlines,butThomasEdison,whobroughtthemiracleof
electricitytoourhomestogivelightandtorunallthoselabor-saving
devices—theequivalent,perhaps,ofahalf-dozenhouseholdservants.
OrEliasHowewhogaveusthesewingmachinethatresultedinsuch
anabundanceofreadymadeclothing.OrClarenceBirdseye,who
inventedtheprocessforfreezingfoods.OrHenryFord,whomass
producedtheautomobilesoitiswithinthepricerangeofalmostevery
American.
Amajoroccupationofwomeninothercountriesisdoingtheirdaily
shoppingforfood,whichrequirescarryingtheirowncontainersand
standinginlineatdozensofsmallshops.Theybuyonlysmall
portionsbecausetheycan'tcarryverymuchandhavenorefrigerator
orfreezertokeepasurplusanyway.OurAmericanfreeenterprise
systemhasgivenusthegiganticfoodandpackagingindustryand
102
beautifulsupermarkets,whichprovideanendlessvarietyoffoods,
prepackagedforeasycarryingandaminimumofwaiting.InAmerica,
womenhavefreedomfromtheslaveryofstandinginlinefordaily
food.
Householddutieshavebeenreducedtoonlyafewhoursaday,
leavingtheAmericanwomanwithplentyoftimetomoonlight.She
cantakeafull-orpart-timepayingjob,orshecanindulgetoher
heart'scontentinatremendousselectionofinterestingeducationalor
culturalorhomemakingorvolunteeractivities.
It'stimetosettherecordstraight.TheclaimthatAmericanwomenare
downtroddenandunfairlytreatedisthefraudofthecentury.Thetruth
isthatAmericanwomenneverhaditsogood.Whyshouldwelower
ourselvesto"equalrights"whenwealreadyhavethestatusofspecial
privilege?
Thisfamousarticle,publishedinthePhyllisSchlaflyReportof
February,launchedthemovementtodefeattheEqualRights
Amendment.
1972
SocialSecurityIsPro-Woman
SocialSecuritybenefitspaidtodependentwivesandwidowshave
beenpartoftheSocialSecuritysystemformorethanfortyyearsbut
arenowunderattackfromthefeministmovement.
DependentwivesasaclassarethegreatestfinancialassettheSocial
Securitysystemhas.SinceSocialSecurityisapay-as-we-gosystem
(today'sbenefitsarepaidfromtoday'staxesandtomorrow'sbenefits
willbepaidfromtomorrow'staxes),theSocialSecurityretirement
benefitsthatwillbereceivedbytoday'sworkersarewhollydependent
ontomorrow'scropofyoungworkerspayingintothesystem.
103
TheparamountreasonforthefuturefinancialproblemsfacingSocial
SecurityisthedramaticdeclineintheAmericanbirthrateoverthelast
fewyears.TheU.S.birthrateisnowbelowpopulationmaintenance
level.
Bybearingandnurturingsixchildren,whohavegrownintoeducated
citizenswhowillpaydecadesupondecadesoftaxesintotheSocial
Securitysystem,IhavedonevastlymorefinanciallyfortheSocial
Securitysystemthananyworkerwhopaystaxesintothesystemall
hisorherlife.Inthenormalcourseofevents,myfoursonscanbe
expected
topaytaxesintotheSocialSecuritysystemforfortytofiftyyears
each,andmytwodaughtersforatleasttwentytothirtyyearseach.
Thatismanytimesthefinancialvalueofamaleorfemaleworkerwho
paystaxesintothesystemallhisorherlife.
InadditiontothisfinancialcontributiontotheSocialSecuritysystem
madebythedependentwifeandmother,thebenefitstosocietyfrom
hercareerlifestylearetremendousandreal,eventhoughtheyare
difficulttocalculateindollars.Whenawifeandmotherspendsher
timeinthehomerearingchildrenwhoaremoral,lawabiding,
industrious,educated,emotionallywelladjusted,andcapableof
formingstrongfamiliesoftheirown,shemakesthegreatestofall
contributionstoahealthysocietyandtothefutureofournation.
Thedependentwifeandmotherwhocaresforherownchildrenin
herownhomeperformsthemostsociallynecessaryroleinour
society.ThefutureofAmericadependsonournextgenerationbeing
morally,psychologically,intellectually,andphysicallystrong.
Ourpublicandtaxpolicyshouldencouragestrongfamiliesand
shouldencouragemotherstocarefortheirownchildren.Itwouldbe
atragicmistakeforCongressevertoadoptanypublicortaxpolicy
thatencouragesmotherstoassignchildcaretoothersandenterthe
104
laborforce.Suchapolicywouldclearlybeanti-familyandagainstthe
bestinterestsofournation.Whatisparticularlyrelevanthereisthat
suchapolicywoulddealafatalblowtothelong-termfinancial
integrityofourSocialSecuritysystemandtoitsabilitytoserveour
nationalneeds.
Formorethanfortyyears,thepaymentofSocialSecuritybenefitsto
dependentwivesandwidowshasbeentheofficialandtangible
recognitionofthevalueoftheirlifestyletotheirfamilies,tosociety,
andtothefinancialsolvencyofthesystem.Thewife'sbenefittoday
performsexactlythesamenecessaryfunctionasitdidinthe1930s.
Butafewaggressivegroupsofwomen,withgoodjobsplusthe
abilitytospeakandwrite,havegangeduptoaskCongresstotake
away
thedependentwife'sandwidow'sbenefits.Iusetheexpression
"gangedup"becausethat'sexactlywhatitis.Thelistofthefour
hundredpersonswhogaveadvicetotheSocialSecurity
Administrationinconnectionwithits1979publicationSocialSecurity
andtheChangingRolesofMenandWomenincludedmostradical
feministleaders—butnotasingledependentwife.
ChangingRolesproposedthreealternativeplansfortheradical
restructuringofSocialSecurity,allofwhichwouldeliminatethe
currentdependentwife'sbenefit.UnderOptions1and2,the
traditionalfamily'sbenefitswouldbecutupto19percent.Under
Option3,thehusbandofthedependentwifewouldbeforcedtopay
doubleSocialSecuritytaxesinorderforhisdependentwifetoreceive
thesamebenefitsshegetsnow.
Whentheseproposalswerepresentedtothepublicinhearingsall
acrosstheUnitedStatesin1979,theysimplydidn'tsell.Thepublic
reactedwithindignationtothisattempttopunishthedependentwife
andthetraditionalfamily.
105
Thedependentwife'sbenefitisnotawelfarepaymentandneverhas
been.Thedependentwife'sbenefitrepresentsourforty-yearpublic
policyofrecognizingthevaluetosocietyandtoSocialSecurityofthe
wife/motherinthehome.TherealwelfarebenefitsinSocialSecurity
aretheweightedbenefitspaidtolow-incomeworkerswhodonotpay
nearlyenoughtaxestojustifytheretirementbenefitstheyreceive.
Thefactthatmillionsofwiveshaveenteredthelaborforceisno
argumentatallfortakingawaybenefitsfromthosewhoremaininthe
home!Adependentwifeneedsherbenefittodayforexactlythesame
reasonsthatthedependentwife'sbenefitwasputintothesystemforty
yearsago.Themovementofsomanywivesoutofthehomeintothe
laborforcemakesitmoreimportantthaneverbeforethatpublicpolicy
encouragemotherstostayintheirhomesandcarefortheirchildren.
Atypicalfeministcomplaintagainstthewife'sbenefitisthat"itisn't
fair"foradependentwifetoreceiveaslargeaSocialSecuritybenefit
as
theemployedwoman.Thisargumentdependsonyourscaleof
values.Thefeministsbelievethat,bydefinition,thedependentwife
isn'tworthmuchbecausesheisn'tpaidincashwages.
Onthetraditionalscaleofvalues,however,thedependentwifeis
worthjustasmuchastheemployedwife.Ifshenurturestwochildren
toadulthood,sheisworthagreatdealmoretothelong-termfinancial
integrityofSocialSecurity.Sheisworthmuch,muchmoreifshe
raisesmorethantwochildrentoadulthood.
Thefeministshavenolegitimatecomplaintbecause,infact,female
workersaretreatedexactlylikemaleworkers—whichiswhatthe
feministshavebeenaskingfor.BecauseofSupremeCourtdecisions
andstatutorychanges,thereisnosexdiscriminationinSocial
Security.Actually,thefemaleworkergetssignificantlymoreforher
106
taxdollarthanthemaleworkerbecausesheliveslonger.
Itisinthebestlong-terminterestsoffemaleworkersaswellasmale
workersforpublicpolicytoencouragethedependentwifetocarefor
herownchildrenratherthantoinducehertoenterthelaborforce.
Economistsagreethatwhenwomenenterthelaborforce,theyhave
fewerchildrenthantheyotherwisewouldhave,andtheeliminationof
thewife'sbenefitwouldcauseanincreaseinthenumberofwives
seekingemployment.Thesocialandeconomiccostsofartificially
inducingmoremillionsofwivesintothelabormarketcouldbe
tremendous.
Toeliminatethedependentwife'sbenefitwouldstrikeamortalblow
towomen'seconomicabilitytochooseatraditionalfamilylifestyle
becauseitwouldimposefinancialpenaltiesonit.Buteliminatingthe
dependentwife'sbenefitwouldnotgivetheemployedwomanany
increasedbenefit.Why,then,isalittlegroupofhighlyeducated
employedwomentryingsohardtowipeoutthedependentwifewho
isinhernurseryorkitchenandmaynothavetheskillstodefend
herself?
Motivationisadifficultquestion,butafterreadingtheliteratureon
thesubject,Iconcludetherearetworeasons:(i)thebeliefthatitisa
socialgoodtomoveallormostwivesandmothersintothelabor
force(andtoassignchildcaretoprofessionalsindaycarecenters),
and(2)envythattheSocialSecuritysystemvaluesthedependent
wifeasmuchastheemployedwoman.
Thefeministmovementistryingtomakethedependentwife
obsolete,butsheisnotobsolete.Babiesinthe1980sarenodifferent
frombabiesinthe1930s:theyneedmothercarejustasmuch.We
shouldapplaudandencouragethewifewhochoosestogiveher
childrenfull-timecare.Thatdecisioninvolvessignificantfinancial
sacrificesincefamilieswithdependentwiveshaveafamilyincome
107
aboutone-thirdlower,ontheaverage,thanwhenthewifeisinthe
laborforce.
Theproposaltoeliminatethewife'sandwidow'sbenefitsshouldbe
identifiedaswhatitis:aradicalfeministproposaltopunishthe
womanwhochoosestobeadependentwifesoshecancareforand
nurtureherownchildren;ananti-familyproposalwhichwouldput
suchfinancialpenaltiesonthetraditionalfamilylifestylethatitwould
tendtodriveitoutofexistence;afinanciallycostlyproposalwhich
wouldfurtherreducethebirthrateandtendtobankruptSocial
Security;aneconomicallyriskyproposalthatwouldincrease
unemployment;andafoolishproposalthatwouldresultinthehigh
socialcostsofneglectedandinstitutionalizedchildren.
TheSocialSecuritysystemisbeautifullyandwiselydesignedto
accommodatewomen'sdifferentcareersandlifestyles.Thedependent
wife'sbenefitservesthoseinthe1980swhomakehomemakingtheir
primarycareerjustasitservedwivesinthe1930s.
TestimonytotheU.S.HouseWaysandMeansCommittee,
SubcommitteeonSocialSecurity,March6,1981.
1981
DoWomenGetEqual^Pay/orEqualWork?
Overthepastyear,adeceitfulpropagandacampaignhasbeen
orchestratedbythefeministmovementtoconvincetheAmerican
peoplethat,whenwomentakeapayingjob,theyreceiveonly59
centsforeverydollarpaidtoamandoingthesamework.Asitis
usedbythefeminists,the59-centfigureisalie,andworse.Itispart
ofthefeminists'denigrationoftheroleofmotherhood.The59-cent
sloganisdesignedtoeliminatetheroleofmotherhoodbychangingus
intoasocietyinwhichwomenareharnessedintothelaborforceboth
full-timeandforalifetime.
108
Equalpayforequalworkisthelawofourlandtoday.Itispositively
requiredbytheEqualEmploymentOpportunityActof1972andby
manyotherfederalstatutesandexecutiveorders.TheEqual
EmploymentOpportunityCommissionisitsaggressiveenforcement
agencyandhaswrungmulti-milliondollarsettlementsagainstthe
largestcompaniesinourland,suchasthe$38millionsettlement
imposedonAT&T.
Ihavenevermetanyonewhoopposesequalpayforequalwork.Itis
themostnon-controversialconceptinthecountrytoday.Sowhy,
then,dofeministskeeptalkingaboutit?Becausetheywantyouto
believethatitshouldmeansomethingthatitdoesn'tmeanatall.
Equalpayforequalworkdoesnotmeanthatthenurseshouldhe
paidthesameasthedoctor,orthatthesecretaryshouldbepaidthe
sameasherboss,evenifsheworksjustashardandthinkssheisjust
assmart.Equalpayforequalworkdoesnotmeanthatthewoman
whohasbeenonthejobtwoyearsmustbepaidthesameasaman
whohasbeeninhisjobfortwentyyears.Nordoesitmeanthata
secretarymustbepaidthesameasaplumberevenifshehasspent
moreyearsinschool,orthatthewomanwhoworksinanofficeorat
aretailstoremustbepaidequallywiththemanwhoworksinamine
orinconstructionwork.
Equalpayforequalworkmeansthatthemanandwomanmustbe
paidequallyiftheyaredoingthesamejobwiththesameexperience
forthesamenumberofhoursinthesametypeofindustryinthesame
partofthecountry.Thatisthelawtoday,andithasbeenvery
aggressivelyenforcedbytheEqualEmploymentOpportunity
Commission.
Thosewhoarecarryingonthecampaigntoperpetratethe59-cent
fraudobviouslyarenottalkingaboutviolationsoftheEqual
109
EmploymentOpportunityAct.Theyoffernosuggestionsfor
changingit.Sowheredidtheygetthe59-centfigure?Thisfigureis
theaveragewagepaidtoallwomencomparedtotheaveragewage
paidtoallmen.Suchacomparisondoesn'tproveanythingatallabout
sexdiscriminationorthefairnessofthewageanyoneinparticularis
paidforanyjob.
Wecertainlydon'twantasocietyinwhichtheaveragewagepaidto
allwomenequalstheaveragewagepaidtoallmen,becausethat
societywouldhaveeliminatedtheroleofmotherhood.Thecareerof
motherhoodisnotrecordedorcompensatedincashwagesin
governmentstatistics,butthatdoesn'tmakeitanylessvaluable.Itis
themostsociallyusefulroleofall.
Wedon'tevenwantasocietyinwhichtheaveragewagepaidtoall
employedwomenequalstheaveragewagepaidtoallemployedmen,
becausethatwouldbeasocietyinwhichwivesandmotherswouldbe
workinginpaidemploymentalltheirlivesforasmanyyearsand
hoursaweekasmen.Mostwivesdonotdothisnowanddon'twant
todoit.Byworkingfewerhoursinthepaidlaborforce,wivesand
motherscangivemoretimetotheirfamiliesandtotheroleof
motherhood.
Wewantasocietyinwhichtheaveragemanearnsmorethanthe
averagewomansothathisearningscanfulfillhisproviderrolein
providingahomeandsupportforhiswifewhoisnurturingand
motheringtheirchildren.Wecertainlydon'twantfeministpressure
groupstochangepublicpolicyinordertoforceusintoasocietyin
whichallwomenarelockedintotheworkforceforalifetime,because
thatwouldmeanforfeitingtheirpreciousyearsandhoursasamother.
Whenweaveragethewagesofallwomenandcomparethemtothe
averagewagesofallmen,thepaycannotandshouldnotbeequal
becausetheworkisnotequal.Theaveragemanhasfarmorework
110
experienceandseniorityonhispresentjob.Theaveragewomanhas
beeninherpresentjobonlyhalfaslongastheaverageman.The
averagewomanhasmorecareerinterruptions;sheiseleventimes
morelikelytoleaveherjobthantheaverageman.
Theaveragewomandoesnotworkasmanyhoursperweekasthe
averageman.Mostwivesdonotworkfull-timeinpaidemployment;
evenifthestatisticscallit"full-time,"thatdoesnotmeanfortyhoursa
week,twelvemonthsayear.Manywomenpreferandtakepart-time
jobs.Thenewconceptcalled"jobsharing"isprovingveryattractive
towivescompelledtoenterthelaborforce.Manymorementhan
womenworkovertimeforpremiumpay;mostwomenrefuse
overtimework,iftheycan,andresentitverymuchwhentheyare
"forcedover"(thefactorytermforinvoluntaryovertime).
Includedinthefiguresfortheaveragemanaremillionsofmenwho
dodangerous,heavyjobswhichwomencannotdo,forwhichmost
womenareunsuited,andwhichtheywouldn'ttakeiftheywere
offeredthreetimesthepay.Theseincludesuchjobsasminers,steel
andironworkers,high-lineelectricians,lumberjacks,salvagedivers,
concretefinishers,millwrights,highexplosivehandlers,roofers,
jackhammeroperators,steeplejacks,treetrimmers,longshoremen,
movers,andrailroadandtruckcrews.Themeninsuchjobscanand
doreceivegoodpay,andtheydeserveit.TheWallStreetJournalof
April14,1981,describedthejobofanArcticdriller—arealhe-man
job.Itisabsolutelyunjusttothinkthattheaveragewomanshould
receiveequalpayforthecleaner,safer,lessdemanding,less
dangerousjobsthatwomenprefer.
Theaveragewoman(notallwomen,ofcourse)voluntarilydeclines
theaddedresponsibility,longhours,andlifetimecommitment
requiredforthehigh-payingpositionsintheprofessionaland
businessworld.
111
TheWallStreetJournalreportedonMarch18,1981,thattheearnings
ofmaleandfemalephysiciansdifferbecausetheaveragewoman
doctorseesfortyfewerpatientsperweekthantheaveragemale
doctor,andwomenchoosethelower-earningspecialtiessuchas
pediatricsandpsychiatryoverthemorelucrativefields,suchas
surgery,chosenbymen.Womencomeoutoflawschoolswithhigh
grades,butmanyareunwillingtoworkthelonghours,nights,and
weekendsthataretypicalofthelifeofayounglawyertryingtobuild
acareerandmakepartner.
Grain'sChicagoBusinessofOctober13,1980,reportedaninterview
withawomanwhoheadsanexecutivesearchfirm.Shefoundthat
"morewomenarestartingtoturndownjoboffers...becausethey
refusetomakethesamekindofcommitmenttotheircareersthata
typicalmaleexecutivewouldmake."Shegavemanyspecific
examplesfromherfirm'sexperienceofwomenwhopassedupgood
promotionsbecausetheywerenotwillingtomakethepersonaland
familysacrificesneededtomoveupthecorporateladder.Wives
customarilydeclineapositionthatrequiresamovetoanothercityand
willresignapositiontoaccompanyahusband'scareermoveto
anothercity.Thisisbecausekeepingthefamilytogetherismore
importanttomostwivesthancareeradvancement.
Theaveragemantodayhasmoreyearsofeducationandmore
educationinmorehighlypaidspecialties.Thisiswhycomparisons
areirrelevantbetweenyoungmenandwomentodayeveniftheyhave
thesamenumberofyearsofhighereducation.Mydaughtergraduated
fromPrincetonwithhonorsineconomics;mysongraduatedfrom
Princetonwithhonorsinelectricalengineering.Thestatisticsreport
themashavingthesamenumberofyearsincollege,butthe
differentialbetweenthestartingsalariesofthosetwospecialtiesis
thousandsofdollarsperyear.Thatisnotsexdiscrimination,butthe
marketplace'srecognitionofthefactthatelectricalengineersaremore
indemandinoursocietytoday.Nobodydiscriminatedagainstmy
daughter;shechosenottotakeengineering.
112
Thereasonwomenareinjobsthatarelessdemanding,withshorter
hoursandlesspay,isnotsexdiscriminationbutcareerchoice.The
overwhelmingmajorityofAmericanwomenmakethecareerchoiceto
giveprioritytohomemaking,motherhood,andthemaintenanceofan
intactfamily.Evenwomenwhodonotmakehomemakingand
motherhoodafull-time,lifetimeoccupationneverthelessdevote
enoughoftheirlifetoitthattheycannotanddonotgivefull-time,
lifetimeattentiontoanemploymentcareer,asmendo.
ItisnotthejobofCongresstotrytochangewomen'svoluntary
careerchoicesbylegislative,financial,ortaxinducements.Thefuture
ofournationdependsonchildrenwhogrowuptobegoodcitizens,
andthebestwayofachievingthatgoalistohaveemotionallystable,
intactfamilies.ItiswrongfortheCongresstocontinuetogivepublic
forumsonlytothenarrowlittleminorityoffeministswhohave
themselvesrejectedmotherhoodaswomen'sroleandaretryingto
labelmotherhoodasanobsoletestereotype.
Theseproblemsshouldnotinvolveabattlebetweenhomemakersand
workingwomen.Homemakersworkveryhard,andmillionsofthem
areinthelaborforcetoday.Employedwomenhavehomesalso,and
theyworkhardathomemaking.Nearlyallwomenwillbeinthelabor
forceforsomeyearsoftheirlives.
TestimonytotheU.S.SenateCommitteeonLaborandHuman
Resources,April21,1981.
1981
Women'sStudiesv.Academicfreedom
TheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnioncertainlygetsinvolvedinunusual
cases.ItslatestisasuitinaCaliforniacourtdesignedtoassurethat
women'sstudiescoursesatstateuniversitiescanteachfeminismand
113
lesbianismtotheexclusionoftraditionalvalues.That'stherealissue
inasuitfiledbytheACLUFoundationofSouthernCaliforniaagainst
CaliforniaStateUniversityatLongBeach,itsBoardofTrusteesand
officers.
Theplaintiffsareanunusualbunch.Oneisidentifiedasanexperton
"FeministTheory,"anotheranexpertin"Lesbianism,"anotheran
experton"WomenandRacism,"anotheranexperton"Womenand
MentalHealth,"andanotheranexperton"WomenandHistory."The
complaintstatesthattheplaintifffacultymembersare"expertsinthe
feministdiscipline,methodology,andprocesswhichisanessential
requirementforteachinginaprogramofFeministStudies.Inaddition
allplaintiffs...arefeminists.”
Thecomplaintstartsoffbydefendingwomen'sstudiescourses,and
then,byasemanticsleight-of-handtrick,slipsintocallingthem
feministstudies.Thelawsuitisdesignedtoequatetheonewiththe
other.
Thewomen'sstudiesprogramatCaliforniaStateUniversityinLong
Beachstartedin1970assomethingtobenefitallwomen.Thefemale
facultyconvertedittoaprogramtopromoteradicalfeminist-lesbian
goalsandvaluestotheexclusionoftraditionalwomen'sgoalsand
values.ThecomplaintbytheACLUadmitsthat"itsfocuswastobe
thefeministdiscipline.”
Thecontroversystartedwhensomechurchgoingwomenenrolledin
women'sstudiescoursesatCaliforniaStateUniversityatLongBeach.
Whentheyfoundoutwhatwastaughtin"Women'sStudies101:
WomenandTheirBodies,"andwhatwastheassignedreading,they
wentintoshock.Thewomencomplainedtouniversityofficialsthat
"WomenandTheirBodies"waspro-lesbian;thatthetextsand
recommendedbookswere"inappropriate,pornographic,andpure
filth";andthatthewomen'sstudiesprogramwasnotbalanced
becauseitfailedtooffercoursesthatespousetraditionalAmerican
114
values.Severalwomenwhohadtakenwomen'sstudiescoursesfiled
affidavitsinwhichtheystatedthattheyhadbeenshownx-ratedand
pro-homosexualfilmsinclass,thatthe
teacherhadafoulmouth,andthatclassroomactivitiesandhomework
includedsexualactivities.
Thetextbooksandrecommendedreadingforthewomen'sstudies
coursesincludedSapphistry:TheBookofLesbianSexualitybyPat
Califia,SexForWomenWhoWanttoHaveFunandLoving
RelationshipsWithEqualsbyCarmenKerr,andLesbianismandthe
Women'sMovementeditedbyNancyMyronandCharlotteBunch.
Thebooksaresopornographicthattheyarenotquotableinthis
article.Withexplicitproseandpictures,theyadvisewomenhowto
becomelesbiansandtoengageineverytypeofpervertedsex,
includinggroupsex,orgies,bestiality,sadomasochism,andbondage.
Thethirty-pageACLUcomplaintattemptstowrapthesecoursesin
thesacredmantleoftheFirstAmendment,dueprocess,equal
protection,andacademicfreedom.Inaddition,thecomplaintcharges
thatterminatingthefeminist-lesbiancourseswassexdiscriminationin
violationofTitleixoftheEducationAmendmentsof1972.
Asaresultoftheuproar,theCaliforniaStateSenateFinance
CommitteeintroducedaresolutionorderingtheUniversityChancellor
tofindoutifanyofthecoursesofferedbytheCaliforniaState
UniversitySystemallowedcreditforengagingin"sexualbehavior,"
andifso,theUniversitywastobepenalizedonemilliondollars.
Then,aCaliforniaAssembly-SenateConferenceCommitteeadopted,
aspartofthestatebudget,aresolutionprovidingthatnofundscould
beusedtosupportcauses"whichofferacademiccreditforengaging
insexualexperiences.”
It'stimetaxpayersfoundoutwhatisgoingonatsomeuniversitiesin
thenameofacademicfreedomandwomen'sstudies—andhow
115
traditionalmoralandfamilyvaluesarecensoredoutofthecurriculum.
1983
WhatDoSmithWomenWant?
"WhatDoWomenWant?—FeminismanditsFuture"wasthetitleof
asixteen-pagearticlebyBarbaraGrizzuti-HarrisonintheOctober
1981Harper'smagazine.Itisimportantreadingforanyonewhoseeks
tounderstandmoderntrendsamongwomen.
Harrisonposedsomeprofoundsociologicalquestionsabout
women'shopesandambitions,andthenspentaweekonthecampus
ofSmithCollegeseekingtheanswersfromtheyoung,elitefeminists
there.ShechoseSmith,thecountry'slargestprivatelyendowedallwomen'scollege,asamicrocosmofthebestfeminismhastoofferin
termsofeducationandcareeraspirations.
ThisreportisnotaboutmyviewsonSmith,asIhaveneverbeen
there.ThisisareviewofHarrison'scommentaryaboutSmith.
Harrison'sarticleissympathetictofeminismandneverchallengesits
assumptionthatitsgoalsarethegoalsofallwomen.
HarrisontellsusthatSmithCollege,whichwasundisturbedbythe
turbulent1960s,istoday"nolongerquitesoladylike.""Therearestill
Fridayafternoonteas,"shesays,"butfewpeopleareshockedand
evenfewersurprisedwhentheybecometheoccasionfor'lesbian
workshops.'"
Smithwomenhaverejectedthecareerofhomemaking."Inseven
daysoncampus,"Harrisonwrites,"notoncedidIseeawoman
wearinganengagementring....Ihadyettomeetastudentwho
thoughtofmotherhoodasavocation."Thefiguresrecordthechange:
intheclassofi960,61percentofgraduatessaidtheywantedtobe
homemakers;intheclassof1970,15percentsaidtheywouldbe
homemakers;intheclassof1980,notevenonepercentchose
116
homemaking.
Harrisonrefersrepeatedlytothelesbianpresenceoncampus.She
tellsofthelesbianresidences,thetwohundredwhocametoalesbian
dance,thecultofanti-maleseparatism,andthetalkof"dismantling
the
familywhichtheynolongerseeasafunctioningunit."Sheisnot
judgmental,oftenusingtheeuphemism"women-identifiedwomen"
insteadof"lesbians.”
HarrisonaskedSmithpresidentJillKerConwaywhether"the
reportedlylargenumberofwomen-identifiedwomen'intheValley,
andtheirclaimtoanexclusiveculture,hadanyeffectontheSmith
population."Afteralongpause,Conwayreplied,"Idon'tdefineitas
aproblembecauseIthinkit'saprivateandpersonalpreferencewith
whichthecollegeshouldhavenopryingconcern.”
ButSmithdoes,indeed,exertpowerfulpressuresaboutpersonal
careers.Theonemessagethestudentsreceiveloudandclearisthat"if
you'renottheheadofacorporation,you'renotasuccessfulwoman."
OnlyamongafewstudentsdidHarrisondetectayearningtohave
whattheirmothershadinadditiontoapreferredplaceinthecorporate
world.Asonestudentasked,"Whycan'twehaveitall?”
HarrisonwonderswhoamongSmithalumnaemightserveasrolemodelsforyoungwomenwhowanttohaveitall?AlumGloria
Steinemhasneitherhusbandnorchildren;alumBettyFriedanis
withouthusband.AlumNancyReaganisoneofthemostadmired
womenintheworld,accordingtonationalpolls,butfeministswillnot
acceptherasarolemodel.
Harrisoncallsita"paradox"thatonehastogobackbeforethebirth
ofthefeministmovementtofindafamousSmithgraduatewho
combinedasuccessfulmarriage,sixchildren,andacareerof
117
outstandingachievement:AnneMorrowLindbergh.
AweekatSmithlefttheauthorwearyof"sexualpolitics."Themost
intensecampusconversationsinvolvedwhetherwomen'sstudies
shouldbeaseparatedepartment.Shedidnotfindoutwhatwomen
want;shedidnotevenfindoutwhatfeministswant.Harrisonended
herarticle"withhopeandsorrowsointimatelybraidedIcannottell
themapart."Itiseasytoseewhysheissorrowfulatwhatshelearned
atSmith.Butherarticlegivesnoclueastowhereonecouldfindhope
forthefuture
atSmithCollege,sinceallrespectfortheroleofwifeandmotherhas
beencensoredoutoftheacademicandsociallifeonthecampus.
1983
WomenandtheLaw
WhenRonaldReaganannouncesevenminimalcutsinfederalfunds
foreducation,achorusofanguished,orchestratedyelpsgoesupon
cuefromthemediaandacademia.Wearegiventear-jerkingrhetoric
aboutworthystudentswhowillbeforcedtoabandoncollegeand
lookforajobinthecruelworld.Agoodantidoteforthebleeding
heartsabouteducationcutswouldbetoreadtheregistrationbookfor
theFourteenthNationalConferenceonWomenandtheLawheldin
Washington,D.C.,April7-10,1983.
Thesecondpageofthisbookletexplainsthatitcost"hundredsof
thousandsofdollarstoprepareandplanthisConference,"whichwas
sponsoredbysevenarealawschools:American,Antioch,Catholic,
GeorgeMason,GeorgeWashington,Georgetown,andHoward.
ThefinancialimpetuscameoriginallyfromAntiochLawSchool,
whichwasfoundedwithfederalfundingaboutadecadeago.Anew
lawschoolisaboutthelastthingintheworldforwhichfederalfunds
canbejustified,butAntiochwasapparentlystartedspecificallyto
trainleft-winglegalactivistsatthetaxpayers'expense.
118
Theconferencehad214workshops.Nowordsofminecandescribe
themnearlysowellasthefollowingdirectquotationsfromthe
registrationbook:
"LesbianasMother:CustodyIssues.Overviewandtacticalapproach
tochildcustodyissues,astheypertaintolesbianmothers.Litigation
strategyforpractitionersrepresentinglesbianmothersincustody
battleswillalsobepresented.”
"CareerOptionsforLesbians:TraditionalandNon-TraditionalLegal
Spheres.Roundtablediscussionledbypanelistsrepresentativeof
employmentoptionsavailabletolesbianspursuingcareersinlaw.
Optionsappraisedwillincludelawfirms,teachingpositions,and
startinglawcollectives,amongothers.”
"LegalChallengestoDiscriminationAgainstLesbians.General
overviewofthelawregardingdiscriminationagainstlesbiansincivil,
criminal,andemploymentcontexts,including:righttoprivacy;
universitiesandotherpublicforums;civilserviceandprivate
employment.”
"SurvivingLawSchoolasaLesbian.Briefpresentationsfollowedby
opendiscussion.Topicstobeaddressedinclude:theprosandconsof
beingouttoone'sschoolcommunity;comingoutasalesbianafter
startinglawschool;theprocessoffindingsupportiveenvironments.
Workshopopentowomenonly.”
"LesbiansandMotherhood—InThatOrder!ArtificialInsemination
andAdoption.Examinationofconsiderationstobemadebylesbians
whochoosetobecomemothers;legalramificationsofthechoice.
Topicsinclude:artificialinsemination—anonymousvs.knowndonor;
adoption;enforceabledocumentsconcerningpartners'legal
relationship.”
119
"ThePoliticsofWomen'sSexuality.Facilitateddiscussionofthe
personal/politicalramificationsofwomen'schoicesofsexual
relationships(lesbian,heterosexual,bisexual,celibate):explorationof
mythsaboutdifferentsexualorientations;homophobia.Workshop
opentowomenonly.”
"LesbiansandElectedOffice:CanYouDoBoth?Presentationby
lesbianswhohaveheldorareholdingelectedoffices.Topicsto
include:factorssurroundingadecisiontorunforlocal,state,or
nationaloffice;campaignstrategies;lesbianism,pollingandthemedia;
andcananoutlesbianreallybeelected?”
"StaytheCurse:AFeministCritiqueofReaganomics.Appraisalof
the'NewFederalism,'budgetcuts,regulatorydestruction,andsup
ply-sideeconomics,astheyaffectwomen,particularlydisabled
women.Considerationoftheuseofinternationallawtoattackthe
policiesoftheReaganAdministration.”
"ProstitutionIssues.Workshopwilladdresstherelationships
betweenprostitutes'rights,abortion/reproductiverightsandlesbian
rights.Panelistswillalsodiscussthecurrentstateofthelaw,andthe
socialandeconomicconsequencesofdecriminalizationversus
legalizationofprostitution.”
"GenitaliaandtheConstitution.Paneldiscussionoftheimportance
placedonanatomicaldifferencesbetweenwomenandmenin
constitutionaldoctrine.”
Itisanoffenseagainstwomen,decency,andcommonsensetoteach
suchcourseswithtaxpayeroruniversityfunds.Statelegislators,
universitytrustees,taxpayers,andparentsshouldlookcarefullyat
whatisbeingtaughtinthenameofwomen'sstudiescoursesandwhat
isbeingdonewiththefundinggiventowomen'scenters.
120
1983
ComparableWorthIsNotPayEquity
TheComparableWorthbillistoutedasabilltopromotepayequity.
Equitymeansjustice,butwhatisjusticewhenitcomestosetting
wages?
Clearly,theremustbesomethingmightyjustandfairaboutthe
Americaneconomicsystem,whichhasprovidedhigherwagesand
moreofthegoodthingsoflifetomorepeoplethananynationinthe
historyoftheworld.Thefreemarket,whichallowsmosteconomic
decisionstobemadefreelybyindividualsandunionsofindividuals,
hasproducedanAmericanstandardoflivingthatistheenvyofthe
world.
Themethodofwagesettingthatproducedthehighestwagesforthe
mostpeopleisthesystemthatallowswagestobedeterminedby
freedomofchoice:whatisanindividualwillingtoworkfor,andwhat
isanemployerwillingtopay?Theresultiswhatiscalledmarket
wages.
Oursocietyhasmadeafewslightmodificationstothissystem.Prior
tothecurrentgeneration,society'snotionofpayequitywasgenerally
understoodtoincludegivingthejobpreference,thehigherpay,and
thepromotiontothefatherwhoissupportingafamily.Hewas
perceivedtoneedthewagemorethanothermenorwomen.
Sometwentyyearsago,theAmericansocietycodifiedintofederal
lawtheconsensusthatequityinwagesettingincludestheconceptthat
anindividualshouldreceive"equalpayforequalwork"asdetermined
bylookingattwoormorepersonsdoingsubstantiallyequalwork.
Sincethen,therehasbeennoapparentdissentfromthisprinciple.
Now,however,abillcalledComparableWorthcomesalongseeking
toengageinwagesettingbythesubjectiveopinionsofanonymous
personswhowilldecidejob"worth.”
121
Thisisanevenmoreintangiblewill-o'-the-wispthan"payequity,"
andevenlessabletoproduceconsensusorequity.Howcanweagree
onwhatyouorIare"worth"indollarsandcents?Whoarethe
unnamedpersonswhocanfulfillthebill'sassumptionthat"job
evaluationtechniques"canbe"equitable"?Aretheythesamejob
evaluatorsasthoseintheStateofWashingtoncasewhodecidedthat
laundryworkersare"worth"thesamewageastruckdriversand
shouldbepaidequally?
Theestimated$1billionjudgmentleviedagainstthetaxpayersofthe
StateofWashingtonbythejudgewhodecidedthatcase,American
FederationofState,County,andMunicipalEmployees(AFSCMEJ
V.StateofWashington,wasbasedonajobevaluationthatcalledfor
wagestobepaidaccordingtothefollowingpointsallegedly
describingjob"worth":laundryworker96,truckdriver97,librarian
353,carpenter197,nurse573,chemist277.Theevaluationconcluded
that(female)laundryworkersshouldbepaidthesameas(male)truck
drivers,andthat(female)librariansandnursesshouldbepaidabout
twiceasmuchas(male)carpentersandchemists.
DothesponsorsoftheComparableWorthbillreallythinkthatthe
Americanpeoplewillacceptas"equitable"ajobevaluationthatcomes
upwithsuchsubjectiveopinions?Onceyoudivorcewagesetting
fromprevailingmarketrates,everydeterminationofjob"worth"—
beingamatterofsubjectiveopinion—willresultinadispute,and
mostofthosedisputeswillendupinthecourts.That'stheinevitable
scenarioofartificialwagesetting.That'swhythefederaljudge,who
rejectedtheDenvernurses'demandthattheybepaidequallywith
tree-trimmers,saidthattheComparableWorththeory"ispregnant
withthepossibilityofdisruptingtheentireeconomicsystemofthe
UnitedStates.”
ComparableWorthisbasicallyaconspiracytheoryofjobs.Itasserts
122
that(a)amassivesocietal(male)conspiracyhassegregated(or
ghettoized)womenintoparticularoccupationsbyexcludingthem
fromothers,andthen(b)devaluedthe"women'sjobs"bypaying
themlowerwagesthanotheroccupationsheldprimarilybymen.No
evidencehasbeenproducedtoprovetheseassumptions.
Fortwodecades,womenhavebeenfreetogointoanyoccupation;
thereareeventhreethousandfemalecoalminerstoday.Butmost
womencontinuetochoosetraditional,ratherthannontraditional,jobs.
Thepaygapbetweenmenandwomenisnotduetodiscrimination;it
isdueprimarilytothefactthatmenandwomengetmarried.The
averagemarriedwomanspendsonly35percentofherpotential
workingyearsinthelaborforce,andthishasadramaticeffectonher
earningpower.Mostmarriedmenaremotivatedtoworkharderinthe
laborforcetoprovidefortheirfamilies;mostmarriedwomenare
motivatedtospendmoreeffortonthedailycareandnurturingoftheir
children.
That'swhymostwomenchooseoccupationsthatallowrepeated
entryandexitfromthelaborforce,part-timeworkorshorterhours,
transfertoanothercityinordertoaccompanytheirhusbands,and
pleasanterandlessriskyworkenvironments.ComparableWorthisan
attempttoforceemployers,taxpayers,andconsumerstopaywomen
asthoughtheyhadnotmadethosecareerchoices.
SincetheessenceoftheComparableWorthnotionisacomparingof
jobsheldmostlybywomenwithjobsheldmostlybymen,if
women'sjobsareallegedlyunderpaid,thenwhichmen'sjobsare
overpaid?Theoccupationsallegedtobeoverpaidaretruckdrivers,
constructionandhighwayworkers,electricians,plumbers,mechanics,
maintenanceandrepairmen,policemenandfirefighters.The
ComparableWorthnotionassertsthatitisunfairforblue-collarmen
tobepaidmorethanpink-collarwomen.
123
Thetrueanswertothepaydifferentialistohaveopenaccesstoall
occupationssothatwomenarenotbarredfromany.Thereisnothing
equitableaboutforcingworkerswhodounpleasant,risky,outdoor
worktosubsidizethosewhodoclean,safe,indoorwork.
TestimonytotheCompensationandEmployeeBenefits
Subcommittee,HousePostOfficeandCivilServiceCommittee,April
4,1984.
1984
TryingtoMeasuretheUnmeasurable
WeopposetheconceptcalledComparableWorthfortwoprincipal
reasons:(a)it'sunfairtomen,and(b)it'sunfairtowomen.
TheComparableWorthadvocatesaretryingtofreezethewagesof
blue-collarmenwhileforcingemployerstoraisethewagesofsome
white-andpink-collarwomenabovemarketplacerates.Accordingto
theComparableWorthrationale,blue-collarmenareoverpaidand
theirwagesshouldbefrozenuntilwhite-andpink-collarwomenhave
theirwagesartificiallyraisedtothesamelevel.Theproofthatthisis
whatComparableWorthisreallyallaboutisinboththerhetoricand
thestatisticsofitsadvocates.
I'vebeendebatingfeministsandlisteningtotheirargumentsformore
thanadecade.Itisimpossibletooverlooktheirrhetoricofenvy.I've
heardfeministleaderssayhundredsoftimes,"Itisn'tfairthattheman
withahighschooleducationearnsmoremoneythanthewomanwho
graduatedfromcollegeornursingorsecretarialschool.”
Thatcomplaintmeansthatthefeministsbelievethattruckdrivers,
electricians,plumbers,mechanics,highwayworkers,maintenance
men,policemen,andfiremenearnmoremoneythanfeministsthink
theyareworth.Andhowdothefeministsjudge"worth"?Bypaper
credentialsinsteadofbyapprenticeshipandhardwork,andby
124
ignoringphysicalriskandunpleasantworkingconditions.
Sothefeministshavedevisedtheslogan"ComparableWorth"to
maketheblue-collarmanfeelguiltyforearningmoremoneythan
womenwithpapercredentials,andtotrickhimintoacceptinga
government-enforcedwagefreezewhileavailablefundsareusedto
raisethewagesofsomewomen.
StatisticalproofthattheaimofComparableWorthistoreducethe
relativeearningpowerofblue-collarmenisabundantlyavailablein
thejobevaluationscommissionedandapprovedbytheComparable
Worthadvocates.Youcanprovethistoyourselfbymakingajob-byjobexaminationofanystudyorevaluationmadewiththeapprovalof
ComparableWorthadvocates;itisalwaysanelaborateschemeto
devaluetheblue-collarman.
Forexample,lookattheevaluationusedinthefamouscasecalled
AFSCMEv.StateofWashington.EvaluatorWillisdeterminedthat
theelectriciansandtruckdriverswereovervaluedbythestateandthat
their"worth"wasreallyfarlessthanthe"worth"ofaregistered
nurse.Moreprecisely,Willisproducedanevaluationchartonwhich
theregisterednursewasworth573points,whereastheelectrician
wasworthonly193points(one-thirdofthenurse),whilethetruck
driverwasworthonly97points(one-sixthofthenurse).
ThefederalcourtacceptedtheWillisevaluationasthoughitwere
somekindofdivinelaw(refusingtolistentotheRichardJeanneret
PAQevaluationthatproducedverydifferentestimatesofworth).
Howdojobsgetcertainpoints?Theevaluatorinventsthem,that's
how.TheComparableWorthadvocateshireanevaluatorundera
contractinwhichheorsheisobligated(a)toignoreallmarketplace
factorsand(b)toproduceapointschemeto"prove"discrimination
againstwomen.
125
Oneofthetechniquesbywhichthisisdoneisthedevaluingofthe
physicalandworking-conditionfactorssoimportantinblue-collar
jobs.Thisdevaluationofblue-collarjobsisaninevitableresultof
integratingwhite-collarandblue-collarjobsinthesameevaluation.If
federalwhite-collarandblue-collarpayclassificationswereintegrated,
blue-collaremployeeswouldbetremendouslydevaluedbecausethe
federalwhite-collarpaysystemaccordslessthan5percentofthe
possiblepointsto"physicaldemands"and"workingenvironment"
combined.
ComparableWorthadvocatesandevaluatorsjoininachorustoclaim
thatit'sso"scientific"because"worth"isbasedoneducation,
training,skills,experience,effort,responsibility,andworking
conditions.Thefactisthat,onceyouthrowoutmarketplacefactors,
theevaluationiscompletelysubjectiveandwhollyreflectiveofthe
biasoftheevaluator.
TheWillisevaluationdeterminedthatthe"mentaldemands"ona
nurseareworth122points,whereasthementaldemandsonan
electricianareworthonlythirtypoints,andthementaldemandsona
truckdriverareworthonlytenpoints.That'stheviewoftheprofeministevaluator.Foracontraryview,asktheelectricianandthe
truckdriverabouttheworthofthementaldemandsmadeonthem.
ComparableWorthevaluationsmustberecognizedasarackettoget
peoplewithyourownbiasesontheevaluationteam,ortosaddlethe
evaluatorwithacontractthatbindshimtoproducetheresultsyou
predetermine.
NotonlyistheComparableWorthconceptwhollysubjective,butit
isalsowhollyarbitrary.Itproposestoraiseonlysomewomen'spay
at
theexpenseofmenandotherwomen.Onlythosejobswhere70
percentormoreoftheemployeesarefemalewouldbeeligiblefor
126
ComparableWorthraises.Thiswasmadeclearinadevastating
analysisoftheWisconsingovernor'sevaluation,madebythe
WisconsinAssociationofManufacturers&Commerce.
TheWisconsinGovernor'sTaskForceStudyliststhejobcalled
InstitutionAideashavinga"c-wgap"of$5,132.Buttheemployees
inthispositionwouldnotgetac-wraisebecauseonly67percentof
the116employeesarewomen,andInstitutionAidecannotbe
designateda"women'sjob"unlessitmeetsthe70percenttest.
NowsupposethatthestateneedstwomoreInstitutionAides.Ifit
hirestwowomen,itwillcrossthe70percentthreshold.Thestatewill
thenhavetogiveallInstitutionAidesaraise,anditwillthereforecost
thestate$595,000tohiretwowomen.Thepersonnelmanagercan
easilymanipulatethesystem,dependingonwhetherheispro-feminist
orpro-budget-cutting.
Or,lookatthepositioncalledNursingAssistant3.Becauseithas70
percentwomen,all104employeeswouldbescheduledtogetaraise
of$3,626toclosethec-wgap.Ifthepersonnelmanagersimplyhires
onemaleorfirestwofemales,hecanavoidc-wraisesforallandsave
*377>I36inhisbudget.
TheentireconceptofComparableWorthhangsoncomparisons
betweenmale-dominatedjobsandfemale-dominatedjobs,soitis
impossibletoescapethearbitrarynatureofthe70percentrule.
ComparableWorthisalsounfairtowomenbecauseitseffectisto
squeezelower-skilledwomenoutofthejobmarketaltogether.The
respectedeconomistJuneO'Neillhaswrittenlengthytreatisesto
showhowandwhythisistheresult.
That'snottheonlywayComparableWorthisunfairtowomen.It
alsohurtsthewomenwhohavemovedintonontraditionaljobs.When
theIllinoisnursessuedtheStateofIllinois,claimingtheyshouldbe
127
paidequallywiththe(mostlymale)electriciansandstationary
engineers,
elevenfemalestateemployeesinnontraditionaljobstriedtoenterthe
lawsuitasintervenors.Theyallworkinajobclassificationcalled
CorrectionalOfficer,aeuphemismforPrisonGuard.Theevaluation
saidthatthese"male-dominated"jobsarenot"worth"asmuchasthey
arenowpaid.Illinoiswaspayingprisonguards$145amonthmore
thanentry-levelsecretaries,buttheComparableWorthevaluation
gavesecretariestwelvemoreComparableWorthpointsthanprison
guards.
Thewomenprisonguardsclaimedthatthepresentsystemof
compensationproperlyrewardsthemfortheirspecialskills,
performanceofparticularlydifficult,dangerous,andunpleasantwork,
theirwillingnesstochallengestereotypesandperformnontraditional
jobs,andthenondiscriminatorymarketforcesofsupplyanddemand.
Putanotherway,thestatehasfoundthatitmustpaymoretohire
prisonguardsthanofficepersonnelbecauseoftherisksonthejob
andtheunpleasantwork.
Askyourself:howmanywomenwouldbewillingtobeaprison
guardifthepaywerethesameorlessthanthepayofasecretary?
Womenfloodintotheso-calledtraditionalwomen'sjobsbythe
millions.Ifthepayisraisedforthosejobsabovemarketrates,even
morewomenwillseekthosejobsandabandonplanstogointo
nontraditionallinesofwork.Atthesametime,businesseswill
eliminatejobsinordertocutcosts,andlow-skilledwomenwillbe
laidoff.That'swhyClarencePendletonsaysthatComparableWorth
forwomenisasself-defeatingassaying,twentyyearsago,thatthe
waytoimprovetheeconomiclotofblackswouldbetoraisethepay
ofredcaps.
SinceComparableWorthhasbecomeacontroversialissue,thepro-
128
feministbiasofthemediahasproducedapro-ComparableWorthbias
onmosttelevisionprograms.
SoitwaswithparticularinterestthatIdiscoveredaconfidentialand
copyrightedmemorandumonComparableWorthdistributedbythe
legaldepartmentoftheNationalAssociationofBroadcastersforthe
benefitofitstelevisionandradiostationmembers.Thismemorandum
warnsstationsto"thinkverycarefullybeforeundertakinganyformal
studyoftherelationshipbetweenthe'value'or'difficulty'ofthe
positionsheldbytheiremployeesandthesalariestheyreceive."Be
suretoconsultyourlawyer,thememorandumsays."Ifanemployer's
onlymotiveistoprotectitselfagainstthehazardsofnewtheoriesof
wagediscriminationlikeComparableWorth,itisfairtosaythatajob
evaluationstudyisfarmorelikelytobeaburdenthanaboon.”
That'sgoodadvice,notonlyfortelevisionandradiobroadcasters,but
foranyemployer,includingfederalandstategovernments.
TestimonytotheCompensation&EmployeeBenefitsSubcommittee,
HousePostOfficeandCivilServiceCommittee,May10,1985.
1985
TheUNWomen'sConferenceinNairobi
ThenotionofAmericanwomenattendingaconferencewithwomen
fromcountriesallovertheworldtodiscusstheircommonproblemsis
soridiculousthatitcouldonlyhappeninacomedycartoonorinthe
UnitedNations.Americanwomenaretryingtogetoutoftheir
kitchens,whilethefondestdreamofwomeninforeigncountries
wouldbetohaveanAmerican-stylekitchen.Theconveniences
Americanwomentakeforgrantedareunattainableluxuriestowomen
inotherlands.
Calltherollofthegreatgiftsthatourprivateenterprisesystemhas
producedtoliberatewomenfromtraditionalwomen'swork—the
129
supermarket,frozenfoods,ready-madeclothes,washers,dryers,
refrigerators,deepfreezes,dishwashers,garbagedisposals,sewing
machines,andthetelephone.Wecanevenenjoysuchadditional
extravagancesaselectricbeaters,meatgrinders,orangejuice
squeezers,icecreamfreezers,hairdryers,andpaperdiapers.
InAfrica,womendomostorallofthehardwork.Theycarrythe
waterandfirewood(ontheirheads),tillthefields,andbuildthe
houses.Themenusetheirenergiesforhunting,fishing,andfighting
intribalwars.
InAfrica,menshowtheirmanhoodbyhowmanychildrenthey
producebymanydifferentwives.That'squitedifferentfromAmerica
whereamanshowshismanhoodbygettingajobandbringinghome
hispaycheckeveryweektosupporthisfamily.
IntheSovietUnionandEuropeancommunistcountries,thewomen
worktwojobs,oneinthelaborforceandonetokeepthehousehold
functioning.Standinginlinefortheprivilegeofbuyingaheadof
cabbageconsumeshoursofeverywoman'sweek.Theaverage
womanhaseightabortionswithoutanesthetics,whiletheaverageman
isanesthetizedmostofthetimewithvodka.
InAmerica,amancanbringhisgirlfriendorwifesuchtreatsas
candyorflowers.IntheSovietUnion,aspecialgiftmostappreciated
bywomenisarolloftoiletpaper.
InCommunistChina,awomanfacescompulsoryabortionifshe
darestoconceiveasecondchild.Ifshepersistsinhavingherbaby,
sheandherfamilyarepunishedbyacutoffoffoodandhousing
allowances.
ThestatusofwomeninMuslimcountriesissomanycenturies
behindthemodernworldthatitishardforAmericanstovisualize.
130
Nevertheless,theIraniandelegatesattheUNconferenceweren't
complaining:theyhungaKhomeiniposteronatreetoshowtheir
loyaltytotheirleader.
ThebestfriendwomeneverhadistheAmericanprivateenterprise
system,madepossiblebytheeconomicfreedomguaranteedinthe
U.S.Constitution.IthasmadeAmericanwomenthemostfortunate
classofpeoplewhoeverlivedonthefaceoftheearth,andweshould
countourblessingseveryday.
WhenthetwothousandU.S.feministsattendingtheNonGovernmentalForuminNairobiberatedtheAmericandelegationfor
failingtosupporttheirradicalagenda(toppedbygovernment-funded
abortionsandComparableWorth),MaureenReaganaptlyresponded,
"Howfortunatetheyhavetherighttodothat.Manydelegateshere
don'thavethatright.”
TheUNDecadeforWomenpursuedabitteranddivisivetrailfrom
MexicoCityin1975toCopenhagenin1980andthenNairobiin
1985.Theydidn'tdaremeetintheUnitedStates:iftheyhad,mostof
thedelegateswouldhavethoughttheyhaddiedandgonetoheaven,
andtheywouldneverhavereturnedtotheirnativecountries.
TheNairobiconferenceremindedmanypeopleoftheInternational
Women'sYearConferenceheldinHoustoninNovember1977,
whichwastheU.S.offshootoftheUNDecadeforWomen.Noneof
theseconferencesprovedthatwomenwantthefeministagenda,but
onlythatfeminists,liberals,andsocialistsareskillfulingettingtheir
handsongovernment,UN,foundation,university,andorganization
fundswithwhichtopromotetheirownagenda.
1985
WhytheEqualRightsAmendmentfailed
TheEqualRightsAmendment(ERA)totheUnitedStates
131
ConstitutionwaspresentedtotheAmericanpublicassomethingto
benefitwomen:"PutwomenintheU.S.Constitution,"andlift
womenoutoftheirso-called"second-classcitizenship."However,in
thousandsofdebates,ERAadvocateswereunabletoshowanyway
thatERAwouldbenefitwomenorendanydiscriminationagainst
them.Thefactisthatwomenalreadyenjoyeveryconstitutionalright
thatmenenjoyandhaveenjoyedequalemploymentopportunitysince
1964.
Intheshortterm,cleveradvertisingandpackagingcansella
worthlessproduct;butinthelongterm,theAmericanpeoplecannot
befooled.ERA'Sbiggestdefectwasthatithadnothingtooffer
Americanwomen.
Ontheotherhand,theopponentsofERA,wereabletoshowmany
harmsthatERAwouldcause.
1.ERAwouldtakeawaylegalrightsthatwomenpossessed—it
would
notconferanynewrightsonwomen.
a)ERAwouldtakeawaywomen'straditionalexemptionfromcon
scriptionandfrommilitarycombatduty.Theclassic"sex
discriminatory"lawsarethosethatsay"malecitizensofage18"must
registerfor
thedraftandthosethatexemptwomenfrommilitarycombat
assignment.TheERAadvocatestriedtogetaroundthisargumentby
asking
theSupremeCourttoholdthattheFourteenthAmendmentalready
requireswomentobedrafted,buttheylostin1981inRostkerv.
Goldberg,
whentheSupremeCourtupheldthetraditionalexemptionofwomen
fromthedraftunderourpresentConstitution.
132
b)ERAwouldtakeawaythetraditionalbenefitsinthelawforwives,
widows,andmothers.ERAwouldmakeunconstitutionalthelaws,
whichusedtoexistineverystate,thatimposeonahusbandthe
obligationtosupporthiswife.
2.ERAwouldtakeawayimportantrightsandpowersofthestates
and
confertheseonotherbranchesofgovernmentthatarefartherremoved
fromthepeople.
a)ERAwouldgiveenormouspowertothefederalcourtstodecide
thedefinitionsofthewordsinERA,"sex"and"equalityofrights."It
is
irresponsibletoleavethecourtstodecidesuchsensitive,emotional,
and
importantissuesaswhetherornotthelanguageappliestoabortionor
homosexualrights.
b)Section2ofERAwouldgivevastnewpowerstothefederal
governmentthatnowbelongtothestates.ERAwouldgiveCongress
the
powertolegislateonallthoseareasoflawthatincludetraditional
differencesoftreatmentonaccountofsex:marriage,propertylaws,
divorceandalimony,childcustody,adoptions,abortion,homosexual
laws,
sexcrimes,privateandpublicschools,prisonregulations,and
insurance.ERAwouldthusresultinamassiveredistributionof
powersinourfederalsystem.
3.ERAwouldtakeawayrightsfromwomenstudents,upsetmany
customsandpractices,andbringgovernmentintrusionintoprivate
schools.
a)ERAwouldforceallschoolsandcolleges,andalltheprograms
133
andathleticstheyconduct,tobefullycoeducationalandsexintegrated.
ERAwouldmakeunconstitutionalallthecurrentexceptionsinTitle
ixwhichallowforsingle-sexschoolsandcollegesandforseparate
treatmentofthesexesforcertainactivities.ERAwouldmeantheend
of
single-sexcollegesandforcethesexintegrationoffraternities,
sororities,BoyScouts,GirlScouts,YMCA,YWCA,BoysStateand
GirlsState
conductedbytheAmericanLegion,nottomentionmother-daughter
andfather-sonschoolevents.
b)ERAwouldrisktheincometaxexemptionofallprivateschools
andcollegesthatmakeanydifferenceoftreatmentbetweenmalesand
females,eventhoughnopublicmoniesareinvolved.ERAisa
statementofpublicpolicythatwouldapplythesamerulestosexthat
we
nowobserveonrace,anditisclearthatnoschoolthatmakesany
racial
distinctionsmayenjoytaxexemption.
4.ERAwouldputabortionrightsintotheU.S.Constitutionand
make
abortionfundinganewconstitutionalright.Roev.Wadein1973
legalizedabortion,butthefighttomakeabortionfundinga
constitutional
rightwaslostinHarrisv.McRaein1980.Theabortioniststhen
looked
toERAtoforcetaxpayerfunding.TheAmericanCivilLiberties
Union
filedbriefsinabortioncasesinHawaii,Massachusetts,Pennsylvania,
andConnecticutarguingthat,sinceabortionisamedicalprocedure
per
formedonlyonwomen,itis"sexdiscrimination"withinthemeaning
134
ofastateERAtodenytaxfundingforabortions.TheConnecticut
SuperiorCourtruledonApril19,1986,thattheConnecticutstate
ERA
requiresabortionfunding.Thosewhoopposetaxfundingof
abortionsdemandthatERAbeamendedtopreventthiseffect,but
ERAadvocateswantERAonlysolongasitincludesabortion
funding.
5.ERAwouldput"gayrights"intotheU.S.Constitutionbecausethe
wordintheAmendmentis"sex,"not"women."Eminentauthorities
havestatedthatERAwouldlegalizethegrantingofmarriagelicenses
to
same-sexcouplesandgenerallyimplementthegayandlesbian
agenda.
TheseauthoritiesincludetheYaleLawJournal,theleadingtextbook
onsexdiscriminationusedinU.S.lawschools,Harvardlaw
professor
PaulFreund,andSenatorSamJ.ErvinJr.
6.InthefinalyearsoftheERAbattle,twonewargumentsappeared.
Both
wereadvancedbytheERAadvocates,buttheyquicklybecame
arguments
inthehandsoftheERAopponents.
a)ERAwouldrequire"unisexinsurance,"thatis,wouldprohibit
insurancecompaniesfromcharginglowerratesforwomen,even
though
actuarialdataclearlyshowthatwomen,asagroup,areentitledto
lower
ratesbothforautomobileaccidentinsuranceandlifeinsurance.Thisis
becausewomendrivershavefeweraccidentsandwomenlivelonger
than
135
men.Mostpeoplefounditapeculiarargumentthatwomen'srights
shouldincludethe"right"topayhigherinsurancerates.
b)ERAwouldeliminateveterans’preferences.Thisconclusionrests
onthesametypeoflegalargumentastheabortionfundingargument:
thatis,sincemostveteransaremen,itis"sexdiscriminatory"togive
preferencestoveterans.Naturally,thisargumentwasnotacceptableto
theveterans,andtheirnationalorganizationslobbiedagainstERA.
CongresspassedERAandsentittothestatesonMarch22,1972,
withaseven-yeartimelimitforratification.Whenitbecameclearthat
ERAcouldnotwinratificationbythenecessarythree-fourthsofthe
states,Congressvotedatimeextensionofthreeyears,threemonths,
andeightdays.Aftertenyearsofnationaldebate,whichwasheated
anddramaticatstatecapitols,ERAdiedonJune30,1982.Atitspeak,
thirty-fivestateshadratifiedERA,butfiveofthoserescindedtheir
ratification,sothefinalcountwasthirtyoutofthethirty-eightneeded.
1986
Postscript:OnNovember25,1998,NewMexico'sstateSupreme
CourtheldthatNewMexico'sstateEqualRightsAmendment
requiresthestatetopayforelectiveabortionsundertheMedicaid
program.N.M.RighttoChoose/NARALv.Johnson(975P.2d
841,1998).In1993,Hawaii'sstateSupremeCourtruledthatthe
denialofmarriagelicensestosame-sexcoupleswasunconstitutional
underHawaii'sstateEqualRightsAmendment.Baehrv.Lewin(852
P.2d44,1993).Thecourtremandedthecasefortrial.OnDecember
3,1996,theHawaiitrialcourtinBaehrv.Miike(Haw.Cir.Ct.,Civ.
No.91-1394)enjoinedthedenialofmarriagelicensestosame-sex
couples,rulingthatthestatestatuteallowingonlyheterosexual
marriagewasunconstitutional.Toundothedamagedonebyadding
ERAtotheHawaiiconstitution,Hawaiivoterspassedaconstitutional
amendmentonNovember3,1998,statingthat"thelegislatureshall
havethepowertoreservemarriagetoopposite-sexcouples.”
136
TheIntelligentCandidate'sGuidetotheWomen'sVote
Eagerpoliticalcandidatesalloverthecountryarepreparingtheir
campaignsforpublicoffice.Astheyselecttheircampaignissuesand
laborovertheirpositionpapers,atsomepointtheirstaffsraisethe
question,"Howcanwegetthewomen'svote?”
Ifyouaskthewrongquestion,youwillgetthewronganswer,and
that'sthewrongquestion.Thereisn'tany"women'svote"anymore
than
thereisa"men'svote."Acandidatewhoaskssuchsillyquestionsis
ontheroadtodefeat.
Thenotionthatcandidatescangetthewomen'svotebypanderingto
theso-called"women'sissues"wentdownthedraininthe1984
election.Inearly1984,NationalOrganizationforWomenpresident
andpro-abortionactivistEleanorSmealwroteabookcalledWhyand
HowWomenWillElecttheNextPresident.Womendidelectthenext
President,andhisnamewasRonaldReagan.
Suchfalseconceptsas"thewomen'svote"and"thewomen's
movement"arebasedonthe1984mediamythcalledthe"gender
gap."Thiswasabogeywomancreatedbythefeministsandthemedia
inordertodefeattargetedcandidatesbygeneratingdiversionarynews
storiesthatforcedthemtotalkaboutnon-issuesinsteadofrealissues.
LiketheWizardofOz,thegendergapwasaphonyandwasburied
(alongwithmostfeministcandidates)underthe1984Reagan
landslide.
Thefirstthinganycandidatemustlearnisthesemanticsofthe
subject.Feministisanantonymforfeminine,notasynonym.
Feminineisanadjectivethatcanbeappliedtopro-familywomenof
anyageorparty,butnottothosewhocallthemselvesfeminists.A
feministwillhissandbooyouifyouusetheterms"girl"or"lady";a
137
ladywillnot.Infact,aladyprobablywillneverhissorbooatall.
Thefeministsdefinewomen'srightsasawoman'srighttotax-paid
abortionondemand,anysexualactivityinoroutofmarriage,easy
divorce,governmentsubsidiesforthecostofdaycare,affirmative
action(thegovernmentforcinganemployertohireaquotaofwomen
inpreferencetobetterqualifiedmen),andComparableWorth(the
governmentraisingsomewomen'swagessotheywillequalthepay
ofentirelydifferenttraditionallymalejobsforwhichwomennever
evenapplied).
Tothefeminineorpro-familywoman,women'srightsmeansequal
opportunityineducationandemployment,anendtothe
discriminationsagainstthefull-timehomemakerthatexisttodayinthe
income
taxsystemandtheIndividualRetirementAccounts,andthe
opportunitytoliveinafreeAmericaneconomymadeprosperousby
lowertaxesandagrowingnumberofprivate-sectorjobs.
Hereisalistofdosanddon'tsforcandidateswhowanttoprepare
themselvesfortrapslaidbyfeministreporters.
1.Don'ttalkabout"women'sissues"and"women'sconcerns"unless
youknowwhatyouaretalkingaboutandhavecleansedyour
statement
ofwordsthatmayhaveadifferentmeaningtoyouandtoyour
audience
(suchas"women'srights"or"ComparableWorth").
2.Don'tbecute,funny,personal,patronizing,orsarcasticinrefer
ringtowomen.Youmightoffendsomewomen.Evenifwhatyou
say
isn'toffensive,feministsmighttakeoffensebecausetheyhaveno
sense
138
ofhumor.
3.Don'tflatterwomen'sappearance.Thatoffendsfeminists.
4.Don'tuseprofanityortelloff-colorjokes.Thisoffendsfeminine
women.
5.Don'tthinkyoucanpleasebothkindsofwomenbyofferingsome
pledgetoboth.Bothsideswillconcludeyoucanbemanipulatedby
pressure.
6.Don'tappointawomen'scommitteetoadviseyou.Thissimply
providesanopportunityforfeministstostagemediaeventsandmake
unreasonabledemands.
7.Don'trespondtoattacksbyfeminists.Thisgivesthemachance
tohavepublictantrumsandattractmoremediabyattackingyouagain.
8.Don'tuse"Ms."toaddressanywoman,orallyoronpaper,unless
youknowthattheindividualwomanprefersthatsalutation.Married
womenworkhardfortherintheirMrs.andtheydon'tappreciate
your
takingitaway.
9.Don'tuseexpressionsthatsomewomenfindobnoxious.Don't
callanywomana"women'slibber";callherafeminist.Don'tcallany
womana"non-workingwife";callherafull-timehomemakeror
career
1.
homemaker.Don'tcallanywomana"workingwife"becausethat
impliesthatotherwivesarenotworking;callheranemployedwife.
10.Don'taskwomento"gettogetheranddecidewhattheywant."
HaveyouaskedRonaldReaganandWalterMondaleto"gettogether
139
anddecidewhattheywant"?
1986
£existSoftware
Irecentlyboughtapersonalcomputeralongwithanassortmentof
software.Idiscoveredthatoneofthesoftwareprogramswillsearch
materialonthewordprocessor,identify"sexist"words,andinstruct
theoperatorhowtopurgeallsexistwordsandsubstitutedifferent
words.Whentherightkeysarepushed,theprogramprintsoutits
longlistofsexistwordsfollowedbythegender-neutralwordwith
whichitshouldbereplaced.
Accordingtothissoftware,wemaynolongertalkabout
businessmen,firemen,newsboys,mailmenordoormen;theymust
nowbebusinesspersons,firepersons,papercarriers,postalcarriers,
ordoorpersons.Longshoremenareout;theymustnowbedock
workers.Horsemenandhorsewomenareintolerable;theymustbe
calledequestrians.
Sportsmanshipisout!Itmustbefairplay.Salesmanshipmustbe
replacedbysalesability,chairmanshipbychairpersonship.Mankind
mustbewrittenashumanity.Wemaynotsaylady,gentleman,man,
orwoman;wemustsaypersonorpeople.Boyandgirlmustbe
replacedbychild;nevermindthatthosewordsdon'thavethesame
meanings.Unabletosupplysynonymsforsuchplainlysexistwords
ashe,she,his,andher,thesoftwarecurtlyordersthetypistto
"revise.”
Man-mademustbereplacedbyartificial,spokesmanby
representative.Yetthosewordsubstitutionssimplydonothavethe
samemean
ing.Diplomatistoreplacestatesman,eventhoughallstatesmenare
notdiplomatsandalldiplomatscertainlyarenotstatesmen.
140
Somewordsapparentlygivesuchtraumatothesoftwareprogram
thatitbluntlyspitsouttheinstruction"avoid."Thesecensoredwords
aremacho,manliness,manly,ladylike,gentlemanly,andmanpower.
Nowwe'regettingintorealtrouble.Thesoftwarestatesthat
groomsmanmustbereplacedbygroom.Butthegroomistheguy
whogetsthebride,andthegroomsmanisthemalefriendwhohelps
gettheluckyfellowtothechurchwithoutlosingtheweddingring.
Thegroomsmanwouldbequitesurprisedtolearnthatheisa
substituteforthegroom.
Butthat'snotthebridegroom'sonlyproblem.Thesoftwareinsists
thatstablemanbereplacedbygroom.Sonowwehavethe
bridegroom,hisattendant,andthefellowwhoreadiesthehorsefor
thegetawayallansweringtothesamenon-sexistname:groom.
Repairmanandcraftsmanbecomerepairpersonandcraftsperson.
Man-hoursbecomespersonhours.Buthandyman?Thecomputer
musthavechokedonhandypersonandtellsusto"rephrase."A
busboyisaclearer.Thenexttimeyoudineinarestaurant,askthe
waitress(excuseme,server)tohavetheclearerremoveyourdishes.
Atleastfiveyearsago,theBureauofFeministCensorshippersuaded
bigpublisherstoissueCensorshipGuidelinesprohibitingthe
allegedly"sexist"words,phrases,andpicturesfromuseintextbooks.
TheseattemptshavenotbeenabletoovercometheAmericanpeople's
devotiontotheEnglishlanguage.
Willthecomputersucceedinreprogrammingourlanguageto
conformtofeministguidelines?It'snotlikely,sincethelessonofall
advertisingisthatyousellyourproductbestwithsmiles—andsmiles
arecontrarytofeministideology.
1986
141
WhyAffirmativeActionforWomenIsWrong
Seventyyearsagowomenweredeniedtherighttovoteinabouthalf
ofthestates.Doyouthinkthatwomentodayshouldbegiventwo
votestoremedythoseyearswhenwomencouldnotvoteatall?
Mostpeoplewouldsaythat'sasillyquestion.Buta"yes"answer
wouldbeequivalenttotheU.S.SupremeCourt's1987decisionin
Johnsonv.TransportationAgency,SantaClaraCounty,California,
whichupheldaffirmativeactionforwomen.
ThiswasacasewhereawomanwashiredoveranadmittedlybetterqualifiedmanforajobinthetransportationagencyofSantaClara
County,California.Theemployer,astateagency,gavepreferencetoa
womantoerasea"manifestimbalanceintraditionallysegregatedjob
categories.”
Thesix-to-threedecisionwaswrittenbyJusticeWilliamJ.Brennan
Jr.,alongtimeadvocateofthemostextremefeministideology.Inhis
1973majorityopinioninFrontierov.Richardson,Brennanwrotethat
Americanwomenwerediscriminatedagainstbyanattitudeof
"romanticpaternalismwhich,inpracticaleffect,putwomen,notona
pedestal,butinacage.”
"Acage"?That'swhathesaid.Presumablythecagetowhich
Brennanreferredwasthehome.Inthesameparagraph,heheldupfor
ridiculeanddisdainaquotationfromanineteenthcenturySupreme
Courtdecisionthat"theparamountdestinyandmissionofwomenare
tofulfillthenobleandbenignofficesofwifeandmother.Thisisthe
lawoftheCreator.”
Surely"cage"musthavebeenaslipofthepen.Butno,whenyou
readfurtherintheFrontieroopinion,youfindJusticeBrennanlacing
hisfantasiesaboutsocietaloppressionofwomenwithechoesofthe
radicalfeministwriters.Continuing,Brennanwrote:"althoughblacks
wereguaranteedtherighttovotein1870,womenweredeniedeven
142
that
right"untiltheNineteenthAmendment.(Brennanshouldhavefactcheckedhisdecisions:womenvotedinhalfthestatespriortothe
NineteenthAmendment.)Brennanconcludedthat"classifications
baseduponsex,likeclassificationsbaseduponrace,alienage,or
nationalorigin,areinherentlysuspect.”
Inthepost-feministera,Brennan'sextravagantrhetoricisnolonger
fashionable,buthedidn'tgetthemessage.Whereasin1972heused
suchrhetorictosaythatanydifferenceoftreatmentonaccountofsex
wasunacceptable,in1987heusedsimilarrhetorictoconcludethat
jobhiringmustbedoneonaccountofsex.Sowe'vecomefullcircle.
Whatwasforbiddenadecadeagoisnowmandatory.Thetroublewith
thisconvolutedreasoningisthatitavoidsthefundamentalissues
involvedinaffirmativeaction.
Thefirstreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatthewoman
receivingthebenefitisnotawomanwhowaseverdiscriminated
against.Thebenefitsarenottargetedforthevictims.Nobodyshould
beentitledtoreceivearemedyforaninjurysufferedbysomeoneelse.
Thesecondreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatitisbased
onatheoryofgrouprightsasopposedtotheAmericantraditionof
individualrights.Womenarenotamonolithic,cohesivegroupin
whichagrievancesufferedbyonewomanshouldtranslateintoaright
oraremedygrantedtoanotherwoman.
Thethirdreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatcompliance
isjudgedonquotas.Asarosebyanyothernamesmellsjustas
sweet,quotasconcealedbyeuphemisms,suchasnumerical
indicators,goals,timetables,statisticalbalance,andcuring
underrepresentation,smelljustasbad.
Thefourthreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatitisbased
143
onthefeministnotionthatmenandwomenarefungible,thatthereis
nodifferencebetweenthebehaviorofwomenandmeninthelabor
force,andthatanythinglessthanafifty-fiftymale-femaledistribution
inalljobcategoriesisproofthattheemployerdiscriminatedagainst
women.
Thisisfalse.Despitedecadesofequalemploymentopportunity
statutesandaggressiveenforcement,themajorityofwomenstillavoid
occupationsthatrequirephysicalstrength,riskyandunpleasant
workingconditions,orsixty-hourworkweeks.
Thefifthreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatitisanopen
invitationtoblackmailandextortion.Whenanemployerisserved
withalawsuitonbehalfofawomanhedidn'thireorpromoteor
awardacontractto,theemployer'slawyerwilltellhimit'scheaperto
payoffthewomanthantodefendthecase.Inthe$20millionlawsuit
wagedagainstSearsbytheEqualEmploymentOpportunity
Commission,thegovernmentwasneverabletoproduceasingle
womanwhohadbeendiscriminatedagainst.
Thesixthreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatitis
demeaningtowomen.Womenshouldbewillingtocompeteequally
withmenonthebasisofequalopportunityandshouldneitherexpect
noracceptpreferentialtreatment.
Theseventhreasonwhyaffirmativeactioniswrongisthatitcreates
resentmentandanimosityintheworkplace.Sincethesystemis
fundamentallyunjust,itproducescontemptforthehypocrisyof
pretendingthatinjusticeisjustice.Personnelmanagersplaythe
numbersgame,snicker,andsay,"I'llhireablackwomanbecauseshe
qualifiesintwoquotas.”
That'snotsocialjustice.That'snotstoppingdiscrimination.That's
reversediscrimination.DuringPresidentReagan's1980campaign,he
144
said:"Wemustnotallowthisnobleconceptofequalopportunityto
bedistortedintofederalguidelinesorquotaswhichrequirerace,
ethnicity,orsex—ratherthanabilityandqualifications—tobethe
principalfactorinhiringoreducation.Increasingdiscrimination
againstsomepeopleinordertoreduceitagainstothersdoesnotend
discrimination.”
1987
Yes,Virginia,ThereIsa'Difference
Wehadamouseinourhousethisweek.Thewomenscreamed,and
themendisposedofthemouse.Despitefifteenyearsofwomen'slib
teachingusthatmenandwomenarereallythesame,itseemsthat
therearepersistentdifferences,andoneofthemrevealsitself
wheneveramousearrivesunannounced.
Ofcourse,onlywomenhavefunctioningbreastsandwombsand
bearbabies.Butthosearenottheonlydifferences.Onlymenhavean
Adam'sapplethatsticksout.Whoknowswhy!We'rejustmadethat
way.Colorblindnesshasasexdifference:tentimesasmanymenas
womenarecolorblind.Stutterersdividebygender:fivetimesasmany
stutterersaremen.
Highheelsdistortourawarenessofthebigdifferenceinheight
betweenmenandwomen.Inbarefeet,theaveragemanissixinches
tallerthantheaveragewoman.Thedifferenceinaverageweight
betweenmenandwomenisnotonlythirtypoundsbutalsoa
differenceintheweighttheywanttobe.Richmenarefatterthanpoor
men,butrichwomenarethinnerthanpoorwomen.Dietersare80
percentfemaleand,youguessedit,93percentofthosewhosuffer
fromanorexiaarewomen.
Women'slifeexpectancyissevenyearslongerthanmen's.That's
whylifeinsurancecostswomenlessperyear:they'llbepayingseven
yearslongerbeforetheydie.Twiceasmanymenaswomendie
145
accidentally.
Fifteenyearsofgender-neutralteachinghavenoterasedthefactthat
youngmenaretherisk-takingsegmentofsociety.That'swhy
automobileaccidentinsuranceratesaremuchhigherforyoungmen
underagetwenty-fivethanforyoungwomen.Aftermentakethebig
plungeofmarriage,theiryenforotherrisksseemstowaneandtheir
automobileaccidentinsuranceratesdecline.
Sixtimesasmanymenaswomenareinjuredatwork.Isthatbecause
menareclumsierthanwomen?Notlikely.It'sbecausemost
womenaresimplynotwillingtotakethejobswheretheyriskbodily
injuryordeath.Wedependonthementodoriskyjobsandprotect
us!
Since1964,federallawshaveguaranteedwomenopenaccessto
everytypeofjob,but99percentofplumbersarestillmen.Arewe
prisonersofobsoletestereotypes?Hardly.Evenhighwagescan'tlure
manywomentothismostessentialtrade.Ontheotherhand,97
percentofdaycareworkersarewomen.Noonedaresadmitthereisa
biologicalmaternalinstinct,butthestatisticcan'tbedisputed.
Thegenderdifferenceisnotjustinphysicallaborjobs.Despitethe
cryingneedinindustryforengineersandthegoodpaytheyreceive,
96percentofengineersaremen.Anewcollegegraduateinelectrical
engineeringcanwalkintoajobpayingthousandsofdollarsayear
morethananewgraduateinliberalarts,whichmostwomenchoose.
TheEducationAmendmentsof1972guaranteedwomen'sentryinto
anyprofessionalschooloftheirchoice,butstill,lastyear88percent
ofthePH.D.Sinmathematicsandsciencewereawardedtomen.
Myhusbandtriedtotalkalloursixchildrenintoattending
engineeringschool.Hearguedthatyougetmoreforyoureducation
dollarinengineeringschooland,anyway,youlearnthingsthatare
146
trueinsteadofsomanyfalsethingstaughtinliberalartsthatyouhave
tounlearnlater.So,ourfoursonsgraduatedinengineering,butthe
twodaughtersrejectedtheirfather'sadvice.Onedaughterchose
journalism:uponcollegegraduationshewenttoworkatlessthan
one-halfthepayanyB.S.E.E.graduatecouldget.Thatwasnotsex
discrimination:itwascareerchoice.
Whenitcomestospendingmoney,however,womenwritethe
checksintwo-thirdsofthehouseholdswhethertheyareemployed
outsideofthehomeornot.
1987
feministsWanttoHaveItBothWays
Forthelasttwentyyears,thefeministshavebeendemandingthat
womenbetreatedjustlikemen.Theydemandtobe"oneoftheboys."
Theyinsistonadmissiontoall-men'sclubsandtherighttogetoffthe
elevatorontheclubs'forbiddenfloors.Theywanttowalkintomen's
lockerroomswheremaleathletesarewearingonlytheirbirthday
suits.
LedbyRepresentativePatriciaSchroeder(D-CO)andthatgreat
spokesmanforwomen'srightsSenatorTedKennedy(D-MA),the
feministsdemandassignmenttohigh-riskmilitarycombatjobs.The
feministsfiledsuittogainentrytoVirginiaMilitaryInstitute,where
menshavetheirheadsandarecalledBrotherRat.Thefeminists
broughtdiscriminationsuitsagainstfiredepartmentsalloverthe
country,demandingtobehook-and-ladderfirepersonssleepinginthe
firehousesalongsideofmen.
Amongthe"sexist"lawswhichthefeministsexpungedfromthe
statestatutebookswerethelawsthatforbadementouseobscene
languageinthepresenceofawoman.Intheneweraoffeminism,
womenmustbegiventheirrighttoheardirtyjokesandvulgar
languagejustlikemen.We'vecomealongwaysincethedaysof
147
GoldaMeir,whorejectedfeminismandsaidthatnomanevertolda
dirtystoryinherpresence.
Thefeministswanttomakeallfederalandstatelawsgenderneutral.
Theywanttoforceusalltoconformtotheiragendabasedonthe
unnaturalideologythatthereisnodifferencebetweenmenand
women.
Thefeministshavehadconsiderablesuccesswiththeirgoals,duein
parttothefailureofmentounderstandthatthefeminists'goalisnot
fairnessorequalityofopportunity,butagender-neutralsocietywith
feministsexercisingthepower.AsfeministauthorRobinMorgan
toldaPhilDonahueaudience,"Wearebecomingthemenweonce
wantedtomarry.”
Atthesametime,feministswanttoplaytheroleofvictim.AnitaHill
wastheepitomeofthephonyposeadoptedbythefeministswhenit
servestheirpurposesoftakingpower:"poorlittleme,"theinjured
ingenue,thedamselindistresswhocriesforBigBrotherFederal
Governmenttodefendherfromthewolvesintheworkplace—not
merelyfromwhattheymightdo,butevenfromwhattheymightsay.
Becauseitsuitedtheirgoals,thefeminists—throughAnitaHill—put
onacrybabyactandtoldusthat,becausemenareinpositionsof
powerintheworkplace,womenareafraidtosay"no"toanyman.
Thewholeassumptionispatronizing—and,indeed,sexist—becauseit
impliesthatwomencan'thandleuncomfortablesituationswithoutthe
helpofgovernment.
AnitaHillwasnotahelplessorvulnerableteenageratthetimeofany
allegedimproprietybyClarenceThomas.ShewasaYaleLawSchool
graduate.Accordingtothetestimonyofherofficeassociates,Anita
wasknowntoherco-workersastough,aggressive,unyielding,
patronizing,andonewho"wouldn'ttakeanythingfromanyone.”
148
Theydescribedherasopinionated,arrogant,andquitecapableof
tellingoffanyman.
Anywomanwhoissmartenoughandtoughenoughtograduate
fromlawschoolshouldbeperfectlycapableoftellingamantobutton
hislip,keephishandsoff,getlost,bugoff,orjustplain"no.”
1991
CodeName:GlassCeiling
Itisn'tjustminoritieswhoseekaffirmativeactionquotas.Feminists
seekquotas,too,andtheyhaveinventedtheirowncodewordto
promotethisobjective:GlassCeiling.Thisphrasehasbecomethe
latestfadinWashington,D.C.,wherewordsarethechief
manufacturedproduct.
Thefeministsallegethatthereisaninvisibleorglass"ceiling"which
womenbumpintoontheirwayupthecareerladderandwhichdenies
thempromotionsintohigh-payingjobs.NoonecanseethisGlass
Ceilingexceptthefeminists—hencetheartfulnessoftheterm.
GlassCeilingisasemantictooltoachievetwogoals:(a)tomake
businessmenfeelguiltyfornotmovingoverandgivingtheir
executivepositionstocareerwomen,and(b)tointimidatebusiness
executivesintoestablishingformalorinformalaffirmativeaction
quotasforwomeninseniormanagement.Feministsplanto
accomplishtheseobjectivesbysettingupagovernmentcommission
sotheycanpursuetheircampaignattaxpayers'expense.
ThefeministsarepromotinglegislationtosetupaGlassCeiling
Commissionoffeministstousetaxpayers'fundstoconductstudies
andresearchto"prove"the"findings"theyhavealreadyspecified.
Thesefindingsassertthatwomenare"significantlyunderrepresented
inexecutivemanagementandseniordecisionmakingpositionsin
business"andthatthisiscausedby"artificialbarriers.”
149
DidyouthinkthatthedemolitionoftheIronCurtainandthe
liberationofEasternEuropemeanthatthethreatfromGeorge
Orwell'sBigBrotherisgoneforever?Don'tbetoosure.The
feministsareplanningonpassingGlassCeilinglegislationto
empowerBigSistertodoOrwelliansnoopingonprivatebusinesses.
TheBigSistersontheGlassCeilingCommissionwillinvestigateto
findout"themannerinwhichbusinessfillsexecutivemanagement
andseniordecisionmakingpositions."Thetax-fundedfeministson
thewarpathwill"encourageAmericancompaniestomodifypractices
andpolicies"inordertopromotethe"upwardmobility"ofwomen
intotopjobsandwillbegladtoprovidespecificguidanceonhow
theyshoulddothis.
Justbecausethereisasmallpercentageofwomeninsenior
managementdoesnotprovediscrimination.Itprovesinsteadthatthe
majorityofwomenhavemadeotherchoices—usuallyfamilychoices
—
ratherthandevotingthemselvestothecorporateworldforsixtyto
eightyhoursaweek.
Equalpayforequalworkhasbeenthelawsince1963;theCivil
RightsActhasbeenappliedtowomensince1964;theEqual
EmploymentOpportunityCommissionhasaggressivelypromoted
equalemploymentopportunityforwomensince1972.Ifsystematic
evidenceofdiscriminationexists,thelawyerswouldbeliningup
plaintiffsforlucrativeclassactioncasesunderexistingantidiscriminationlaws.
We'vehadtwentyyears'experiencewithtax-fundedcommissions
runbythefeminists,mostnotablythe1977Commissionon
InternationalWomen'sYearchairedbyBellaAbzug,towhicha
muddle-headedCongressgave$5millionofthetaxpayers'money.
Thefeministsalwaysusesuchcommissionsasplatformstopursue
150
theirradicalagenda.
Businessmeninseniordecisionmakingpositionswhoaresupporting
awifeandfamilyshouldnotlettheGlassCeilingbrigademakethem
feelguiltywhentheyrefusetoacquiesceinthisploy.Youcanbetthat
aGlassCeilingCommissionwillnottolerateanyrepresentationin
behalfofthewivesofthemenwhowouldbethelosersinasystemof
affirmativeactionquotasforexecutivewomen.
1991
RuthBaderGinsburg’sfeministWorldview
HowdoesithappenthataSupremeCourtnomineewhoseonly
experienceinprivatelawpracticewassevenyearsasgeneralcounsel
totheACLUcametobepraisedbyalmosteveryoneasa"moderate"
anda"centrist"?Thisjustproveshoweasilymenarefooledbya
skirt.TheyhaveconcludedthatRuthBaderGinsburgis"moderate"
becausesheisn'taloud-mouthed,frizzy-haired,bra-burningstreet
demonstrator.
Infact,Ginsburg'swritingsbetrayherasaradical,doctrinaire
feminist,faroutofthemainstream.Shesharesthechip-on-theshoulder,radicalfeministviewthatAmericanwomenhaveendured
centuriesofoppressionandmistreatmentfrommen.That'swhy,in
herlegalwritings,sheidentifieswithfeministSarahGrimke's
statement,"AllIaskofourbrethrenisthattheytaketheirfeetoffour
necks."InaspeechpublishedbythePhiBetaKappaKeyReporterin
1974,Ginsburgcalledforaffirmativeactionhiringquotasforcareer
women.Usingthepoliceasanexample,shesaid,"affirmativeaction
iscalledforinthissituation.”
Ontheotherhand,sheconsidereditasetbackforherversionof
women'srightswhentheSupremeCourt,inKahnv.Shevin(1974),
upheldaFloridapropertytaxexemptionforwidows.Ginsburg
disdainswhatshecalls"traditionalsexroles"anddemandsstrict
genderneutrality(except,ofcourse,forquotahiringofcareer
151
women).
Ginsburg'srealclaimtoherstatusasthepremierfeministlawyerwas
hersuccessinwinningthe1973SupremeCourtcaseFrontierov.
Richardson,whichsheunabashedlypraisedasan"activist"decision.
SheobviouslysharestheviewofJusticeWilliamBrennan'sopinion
thatAmericanmen,"inpracticaleffect,putwomen,notonapedestal,
butinacage,"andthat"throughoutmuchofthenineteenthcentury
thepositionofwomeninoursocietywas,inmanyrespects,
comparabletothatofblacksunderthepre-CivilWarslavecodes.”
AnyonewhothinksthatAmericanwomeninthenineteenthcentury
weretreatedlikeslaves,andinthetwentiethcenturywerekeptina
"cage,"hasaworldviewthatisdownrightdangerousforaSupreme
Courtjustice.
GinsburgpassedPresidentClinton'sself-proclaimedlitmustestfor
appointmenttotheSupremeCourt:sheis"pro-choice."Butthat'snot
all:shewantstowritetaxpayerfundingofabortionsintotheU.S.
Constitution,somethingthat72percentofAmericansopposeand
eventhepro-abortion,pro-Roev.WadeSupremeCourtrefusedtodo.
IthasbeenconsideredsettledlawsincetheSupremeCourtdecisions
inatrilogyofcasesin1977{Bealv.Doe,Maherv.Roe,andPoelker
v.Doe)thattheConstitutiondoesnotcompelstates,topayfor
abortions.Thesecaseswerefollowedbythe1980SupremeCourt
decisionofHarrisv.McRaeupholdingtheHydeAmendment'sban
onspendingtaxpayers'moneyforabortions.TheCourtruledthat"it
simplydoesnotfollowthatawoman'sfreedomofchoice[tohavean
abortion]carrieswithitaconstitutionalentitlementtothefinancial
resourcestoavailherselfofthefullrangeofprotectedchoices.”
Ginsburgplantedherselffirmlyinoppositiontothissettledlaw.Ina
1980bookentitledConstitutionalGovernmentinAmerica,Ginsburg
152
endorsedtaxpayerfundingofabortionsasaconstitutionalrightand
condemnedtheCourt'srulings.
"Thiswastheyearthewomenlost,"Ginsburgwroteinheranalysis
ofthe1977cases."Mostunsettlingofthelossesarethedecisionson
accessbythepoortoelectiveabortions."Criticizingthesix-to-three
majorityinthefundingcases,Ginsburgassertedthat"restrictionson
publicfundingandaccesstopublichospitalsforpoorwomen"werea
retreatfromRoev.Wade,aswellasa"stunningcurtailment"of
women'srights.
RuthBaderGinsburgisalongtimeadvocateoftheextremistfeminist
notionthatanydifferentiationwhatsoeveronaccountofgender
shouldbeunconstitutional.Herradicalviewsaremadeclearinabook
calledSexBiasintheU.S.Code,whichsheco-authoredin1977with
anotherfeminist,BrendaFeigen-Fasteau,forwhichtheywerepaid
withfederalfundsunderContractNo.CR3AK010.
SexBiasintheU.S.Code,publishedbytheU.S.Commissionon
CivilRights,wasthesourceoftheclaimwidelymadeinthe1970s
thateighthundredfederallaws"discriminated"onaccountofsex.The
230-pagebookidentifiedthoselawsandrecommendedspecific
changesdemandedbythefeministmovementtoconformtothe
"equalityprinciple"andpromoteratificationoftheEqualRights
Amendment(ERA),forwhichGinsburgwasaferventadvocate.
Fortunately,theERAdiedin1982.
SexBiasintheU.S.Codeisahandbookthatdescribeshowthe
feministswanttochangeourlaws,ourinstitutions,andourattitudes
andconvertAmericaintoagender-freesociety.Itclearlyshowsthat
thefeministsarenottryingtoredressanylegitimategrievances
womenmighthavebutwanttochangehumannature,socialmores,
andrelationshipsbetweenmenandwomen—andwanttodothatby
changingourlaws.Despitethenoisycomplaintsofthefeminists
153
abouttheoppressionofwomen,acombingoffederallawsbyRuth
BaderGinsburg,thenaColumbiaUniversityLawSchoolprofessor,
andherstaffunderafederalgrantoftaxdollars,unearthednofederal
lawsthatharm
SexBiasintheU.S.Codewasforthrightintargetingthetraditional
familyconceptofhusbandasbreadwinnerandwifeashomemaker.
"CongressandthePresident,"Ginsburgwroteinthisvolume,
"shoulddirecttheirattentiontotheconceptthatpervadestheCode:
thattheadultworldis(andshouldbe)dividedintotwoclasses—
independentmen,whoseprimaryresponsibilityistowinbreadfora
family,anddependentwomen,whoseprimaryresponsibilityistocare
forchildrenandhousehold.Thisconceptmustbeeliminatedfromthe
codeifitistoreflecttheequalityprinciple.”
Infurtherdefinitionoftheequalityprinciple,Ginsburgstated,"The
increasinglycommontwo-earnerfamilypatternshouldimpel
developmentofacomprehensiveprogramofgovernment-supported
childcare."Itisfundamentaltofeministdogmathatoneoftheproofs
oftheoppressionofwomenisthatsocietyexpectsmotherstocarefor
theirbabies,andthisburdenmustbeliftedbygovernment-provided
daycare.
Ginsburgwasvehementinherdesiretoabolishanylegalpreference
orprotectionthatwomenmighthave.Sheadvocatedgettingridof
lawsagainststatutoryrapeas"discriminatoryontheirface"andthe
MannActbecauseitwas"meanttoprotectweakwomenfrombad
men."Atthesametime,shedemandedgender-basedpreferencesfor
women,eveninthemilitary.Suchisthefeministnotionofequality.
Ginsburg'sSexBiasintheU.S.Codeembracedgenderneutrality
eventotheextremesofdemandingthattheword"manmade"be
replacedwith"artificial,""mankind"with"humanity,""manpower"
with"humanresources,""midshipman"withmidshipperson,"and
"he"and"she"with"he/she.”Toparaphraseafeministobscenity,the
154
feministsareobsessedwithpronounenvy.
Finally,whobutanembitteredfeministcouldhavesaidwhatRuth
BaderGinsburgsaidwhenshestoodbesidePresidentClintoninthe
RoseGardenthedayofhernominationfortheSupremeCourt.She
wishedthathermotherhad"livedinanagewhendaughtersare
cherishedasmuchassons."WhereintheworldhasGinsburgbeen
living?InChina?InIndia?HerstatementwasaninsulttoAmerican
parentswhodo,indeed,cherishtheirdaughtersasmuchastheirsons.
1993
feminism'sfundamentaldefects
Feminismisincompatiblewiththetruth.It'sbasedontheliethat
Americanwomenareoppressedandmistreated,whereasAmerican
womenareinfactthemostfortunateclassofpeoplewhoeverlived.
Feminismisincompatiblewithhumannature.Thepremiseofthe
feministsisthatGodgoofedinmakingusintwodifferentsexes,and
ourlawsshouldremedyHismistake.They'vetakenontheimpossible
taskofchanginghumannatureandtheeternaldifferencesbetween
menandwomen.Despitefeministattemptstodenyit,womendohave
abiologicalclockthatinfluencesthem.IwenttolawschoolafterI
wasfiftyyearsold,butI'mgladIdidn'thavemysixchildrenafterI
wasfifty.
Feminismisincompatiblewithcommonsense.Therejectionofthe
familyfliesinthefaceofallhumanexperience.Thefamilyisthe
provenbestwayformenandwomentolivetogetheronthisearth.A
family
providespeoplewhocareaboutus,anestandashelterfromwhich
wecanfacelife'schallenges.Thefamilyistheoriginalandbest
departmentofhealth,education,andwelfare.
Feminismisincompatiblewithmarriageandmotherhood.Women's
155
libraisedfalseexpectationsthatyoungwomencould"haveitall"
rightnow.Butwhilethefeministsrejectedmotherhood,notmany
menchangedtheirattitudes,andbabiesdidn'tchangeatall.AWall
StreetJournalstudyshowedthat52percentofsuccessfulwomenare
divorcedorunmarried,comparedwithonly5percentofmen.
Feminismisincompatiblewithpersonalhappiness.Itstechniqueof
identifyingandexaggeratinggrievancesproducesachip-on-theshoulderattitudetowardlifeaswellasadisdainfortraditionalvalues
androles.FeministAnneTaylorFleming,inherbookMotherhood
Deferred,describesherselfaspartofthesisterhoodoftheinfertile,a
lonesome,babylessbabyboomernowcompletelyconsumedbythe
longingforachildofherown.Shewrotethatshe'stemptedtoroll
downthewindowandshoutoutloud,"Hey,hey,Gloria,Germaine,
Kate.Tellushowdoesitfeeltohaveendedupwithoutbabies,
children,fleshofyourflesh.Wasyourideologyworththeempty
womb?"Thiscrycomesfromawomanwho,twentyyearsearlier,
proudlyassertedherfeminism,withallitscruelcondescensionof
homemakers,andsaidinaCBSdebateagainstme,"IfIwere
pregnantnow,I'dgooutandhaveanabortion.”
Feminismisincompatiblewiththeprivateenterprisesystembecause
feministsproposegovernmentasthesolutiontoeveryproblem.The
feministsclaimtheywanttobeindependentofmen,thattheynever
wanttodefertoahusbandorbefinanciallydependentonahusband.
Butthefeministswhoproclaimtheirliberationfrommenalwaysrun
toBigBrotherGovernmentasareplacement.
Needajob?BigBrotherwillgetyouanaffirmativeactionquota
position.Youdon'tmeetthephysicalrequirements?BigBrotherwill
gendernormthetestresultsandgiveyouahigherscore.Notsatisfied
withyoursalary?TheComparableWorthcommissionwillorderyour
employertogiveyouaraise.Wantapromotion?TheGlassCeiling
commissionwillforceyouremployertogiveittoyou.
156
Needtimeofftotendtoasickchild?TheFamilyLeavecommission
willarrangeitforyou.Needababysitterforyourchild?Afederally
fundeddaycarecenterwillrelieveyouoftheburdenofcaringfor
yourchild.Needanabortion?Universalhealthcarewillpayforit.
Wanttopunishyourbossforsomeremarksyoudidn'tlike?The
SexualHarassmentgestapowillgivehimahardtime.Notgetting
alongwithyourhusband?TheLegalServicesCorporationwill
arrangeadivorce.Wanttopunishyourhusband?TheViolence
AgainstWomenagencywillgiveyoufreehousingwhileyouaccuse
yourhusbandofspousalrape,andthelocalprosecutorwillbelieve
yourstorywithoutcorroboration.
Faith,commitment,hardwork,family,children,andgrandchildren
stillofferthemostfulfillment,aswellasourreachintothefuture.
Feminismisnosubstitutefortraditionalmarriage.Liberationisno
substituteforfidelity.PoliticalCorrectnessisnosubstitutefor
chivalry.Careersarenosubstituteforchildrenandgrandchildren.
1994
feministsTryto^tampOuttheradicalTruth
August26,1995wastheseventy-fifthanniversaryoftheratification
oftheNineteenthAmendmenttotheUnitedStatesConstitution,the
women'ssuffrageamendment,whichforbadeanystatethereafterto
denywomentherighttovote.August26isananniversaryworth
celebratingandhonoringwithaU.S.postagestamp.
Butthefeministsturnedthisanniversaryintopropagandaforradical
feministgoalsandrevisionisthistory.TheygottheUnitedStates
PostalService(whichissupposedtobenon-political)toissuea
postagestampgivingequalbillingtoboththeAugust26anniversary
andtheradicaldemonstrationinSpringfield,IllinoisonMay16,1976
insupportofthefailedEqualRightsAmendment(ERA).
157
That1976gatheringofradicalfeministshadabsolutelynothingtodo
withwomen'ssuffrage.Ithappenedfifty-sixyearsafterallAmerican
womenhadtherighttovote.ContrarytothePostalService'snews
releaseissuedwithfeministRepresentativesPatriciaSchroeder(DCO)andNitaLowey(D-NY)lookingon,the1976demonstration
wasnota"milestone."Itwasnotasignificantevent,itdidnot
establishorreverseanylaworpolicy,itdidnotchangeanythingat
all.Thecauseforwhichthedemonstratorsmarchedwasatotal
failure.ThateventshouldnotbehonoredonaU.S.postagestamp.
TheMay16,1976,demonstratorsincludedlargenumbersoflesbian
activists,socialists,governmentemployees,unkemptradicals,and
collegestudentswhowereencouragedtocometoSpringfield,
Illinois,onsubsidizedbusesfromcampusesalloverthecountry.The
May16demonstrationwasthefirstofmanypro-ERA
demonstrationsattheIllinoisStateCapitol,whichbecamemore
radicalwitheachpassingyear.By1982,thedemonstratorshad
becomedownrightbizarre.Forweeks,a"chaingang"ofpro-ERAers
chainedthemselvestothedooroftheSenateChamberonthethird
floorsothatSenatorshadtostepoverthemtogointothesession.
OnJune25,1982,ERAsupporterswenttotheslaughterhouse,got
plasticbagsofpigs'blood,andusedittodefacetheflagsandtowrite
onthemarblefloorthenamesofthelegislatorstheyhatedthemost.
Despitethemanypro-ERAdemonstrationsinIllinois,theIllinois
legislatureneverratifiedERA,althoughitwasforcedtovoteonERA
everyyearforelevenyears(1972-1982).
ItisunfortunatethattheU.S.PostalServicehonoredapro-ERA
demonstrationinSpringfieldalongwiththecommemorationofthe
women'ssuffrageamendment.Thiswasablatantattemptbyliberalfeministrevisioniststorewritehistoryinordertoadvancetheir
agenda.
158
1995
feministassaulton<reasonableness
Twentyyearsafterwomenbeganattendinglawschoolsingreater
numbers,feministsareturningupaslawschoolprofessors,law
reviewwriters,statelegislators,congressionalstaffers,prosecutors,
lawclerks,andevenjudges.It'ssplendidtohavewomeninallthose
positions,butlargenumbersoffeministsarecausingominous
dislocationsinbasicconceptsofAmericanlawandjustice.An
excellentpolicyanalysison"feministjurisprudence"bytheCato
Institute,datedJune19,1996,explainswhy.
Thefeministgoalisnotfairtreatmentforwomen,butthe
redistributionofpowerfromthe"dominant"class(themale
patriarchalsystem)tothe"subordinate"class(nominallywomen,but
actuallyonlythefeministswhoplaybyrulestheyhaveinvented).
Feministshavepeddledthefictionthatmenareengagedinavast
conspiracyagainstwomen,thatsomethinglike85percentof
employedwomenaresexuallyharassedintheworkplace,andthat
somethingontheorderof50to70percentofwivesarebeatenby
theirhusbands.
Feministswanttoestablishtherulethatoffensesagainstwomen
shouldbedefined(notobjectively,butsubjectively)onthebasisof
howthewomanfeltinsteadofwhatthedefendantdid.
Beforethefeministmovementburstonthesceneinthe1970s,there
wereliterallyhundredsoflawsthatgaveadvantagesorprotectionsto
womenbasedonsociety'scommonsenserecognitionofthefactsof
lifeandhumannature.Theseincludedtheprohibitionagainststatutory
rape,theMannAct,theobligationofthehusbandtosupporthiswife
andprovideherwithahome,specialprotectionsforwidows(forex
ample,onestategavewidowsalittlepropertytaxexemption,another
prescribedtriplepenaltiesagainstanyonewhocheatedawidow),and
159
lawsthatmadeitamisdemeanortouseobsceneorprofanelanguage
inthepresenceofawoman.
Thepremierfeministlawyerinthe1970s,RuthBaderGinsburg,then
aprofessoratColumbiaUniversityLawSchool,arguedthatallsuch
differencesoftreatmentbasedongenderweresexdiscriminatoryand
shouldbeabolished.ShewonseveralSupremeCourtcasesonthat
theory.Instateafterstate,aswellasinCongress,feministlawyers
wereabletopersuadelegislatorstogenderneutralizetheirlaws.
Inthe1990s,thefeministsnolongerevenpaylipservicetoagenderequalitygoal(except,ofcourse,whenitsuitstheirpurposes).Their
goalsarethefeminizationandsubordinationofmen,andtheirtactics
aretocry"victimization"and"conspiracy."Theyhavelaunchedan
attackonbasicprecepts:equalityunderthelaw,judicialneutrality,a
defendantisinnocentuntilprovenguilty,convictionrequiresproof
beyondareasonabledoubt,andguiltorliabilityshouldbejudged
accordingtothetraditional"reasonableman"theory.
Femaleplaintiffshadalwaysbeenabletosueforoffensivesexual
actionsintheworkplacebyusingthecommonlawremediesoftort
andcontract.Feministsrejecttheseremediesbecausetheywantsexual
harassmentcasestobebasedontheirnuttynotionofamale
conspiracytovictimizewomen,ortheirnewlyinventedlegaltheory
thata"hostileworkenvironment"isaformof"sexdiscrimination"
prohibitedbyTitleVIIoftheCivilRightsAct.
TheU.S.SupremeCourtadoptedthisfeministtheoryinthe1986
caseofMeritorSavingsBankv.Vinson,wheretheCourtevenwent
sofarastosaythat"'voluntariness'inthesenseofconsent"isnota
defense.ThisnotionwasinventedbyMichiganLawSchool
professorCatharineMackinnon,whowasreportedtohaveboasted,
"Whatthedecisionmeansisthatwemadethislawupfromthe
beginning,andnowwe'vewon."That'sexactlywhathappened.
160
Ina1991Jacksonville,Florida,case,afederaldistrictcourtfoundan
employerguiltyofa"hostileworkenvironment"eventhoughthere
wasnoevidenceofsexuallanguageordemandsdirectedatthe
plaintiffwhoclaimedshefeltsexuallyharassed.Theotherfemale
workerssaidtheydidnotfeelsexuallyharassed,butthejudgesaid
thattheirtestimonymerelyprovided"additionalevidenceof
victimization."Inordertoaccommodatetheirclaimthat85percentof
employedwomenaresexuallyharassed,thefeministshavedennedit
sobroadlythatitistrivializedtoincludebehaviorthatismerely
annoying.
A1991NinthCircuitCourtofAppealsdecisionreplacedthe
commonlaw"reasonableman"standardwitha"reasonablewoman"
test,embracingthe1990sfeministnotionthatmenandwomencan't
seethesameeventsinthesameway.Thecourtdeclaredthattheold
commonlawstandard"systematicallyignorestheexperiencesof
women.”
Nevertheless,thefeministsgoevenfurther.Theyarenowdemanding
the"unreasonablewoman"rule.Theywantthevictimratherthanthe
lawtodefinetheoffense.
Remember,thefeministsrepealedtheoldlawsmakingita
misdemeanortospeak"anyobscene,profane,indecent,vulgar,
suggestiveorimmoralmessage"toawomanorgirl.Nowthe
feministsaretryingtoenforcerulesthatanyman'swordscanbe
punishedifawomansubjectivelydoesn'tlikethem.Theyarguethatit
canbejustasactionableforamantocallawoman"honey"or"baby"
astocallhera"bitch.”
Thefeministsareactivelypromotingcollegespeechcodestoprohibit
whattheycalldiscriminatoryorharassingspeech.Jokesarenot
allowedbecausefeministshavenosenseofhumor.Nearlyfour
hundredcollegesanduniversitiesadoptedtheseanti—First
161
Amendmentspeechregulations,aboutathirdofwhichtarget
"advocacyofoffensiveoroutrageousviewpointsorbiasedideas.”
ThefeministsevenpushtheCatharineMackinnonfantasythatall
heterosexualsexshouldbeconsideredrapeunlessanaffirmative,
sober,explicitverbalconsentcanbeproved.Theywanttoestablisha
license
forwomentokilltheirallegedlyabusivespouses.Theywouldhave
usbelievethatkillingamaninhissleepcanbeexcusedasselfdefense.
Morelawyers,scholars,andacademicsarebadlyneededtospeakup
andexposethefeministfoolishnessforwhatitis:ascurrilousattack
onourBillofRights.
1996
feministshaveGlobalGoals,Too
DidyouthinkthatthoseUnitedNationsconferencesheldinCairo,
Beijing,andIstanbulwerejustconsciousness-raisingsessionswhere
thefeministsintheClintonAdministrationcouldcommiseratewith
femalesfrom189countriesabouthowbadlywomenaretreatedby
themalepatriarchalsociety?Well,thinkagain.Whenwegivethe
feministsatax-paidjunkettocultivatetheirgrievances,youcanbet
theywillusethatopportunitytocookupalotofmischief.
Didyouthinkthat,inourconstitutionalgovernment,"alllegislative
powers"arevestedintheCongress,wherelaws,tobevalid,mustbe
passedbyamajorityinbothHouses?Thinkagain.Thefeministshave
devisedasneakywaytobypasstheconstitutionalprocess,achieve
whattheywantby"consensus"ataUNconference,andthenusethe
federalbureaucracytoimplementtheirpoliciesasthoughtheywere
law.
InMay1996,theClintonAdministrationsetupthePresident's
162
InteragencyCouncilonWomenchairedbythosetwolongtimefriends
andco-conspiratorsinfeministactivism,HillaryRodhamClintonand
HHSsecretaryDonnaShalala.Itsmissionisto"followuponU.S.
commitmentsmadeattheUNFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,
Beijing,September4-15,1995."OnSeptember28,1996,the
President'sInteragencyCouncilheldanationalconferenceviasatellite
toreportonthe"progress"madetowardBeijing's"Platformfor
Action.”
SoonafterthefeministsreturnedfromChinain1995,UN
ambassadorMadeleineAlbright,whowastheU.S.delegationchairin
Beijing,spelledoutthegoalsinadocumentcalled"BringBeijing
Home.”Theseincluded"familyresponsibilitiesmustbeshared"
(obviously,thegovernmentshouldforcehusbandstodothedishes
andthediapers)and,ofcourse,assuringabortionrights.Albright
announcedthatBeijinghadproduced"aninternationalwomen's
movementofactivists,advocatesandadvisorstothenationsofthe
world."U.S.taxpayerspaidone-thirdofthe$14millionbillforthe
gabsession.
TheBeijingcommitmentsarebeingimplementedthroughafederal
entitycomposedofhigh-levelrepresentativesfromthirtyfederal
agencies.Itholdsmonthlymeetings,engagesinoutreachactivities,
conductslocalseminars,andusesaWhiteHouseaddress.
ThelongtimefeministgoalcalledComparableWorthisamajorgoal
ofthisPresident'sInteragencyCouncil.Thefeministsthinkit'sunfair
thatjobsheldmostlybymen,suchasplumberandprisonguard,have
higherpaythanclericaljobsheldmostlybywomen.Thefeminists
allegethatpapercredentialsare"worth"morethanunpleasantor
dangerousworkingconditions.Althoughnobodyisstoppingmore
womenfrombecomingplumbersandprisonguards,thefeminists
arguethat"payequity"requiresfreezingthewagesofmale-dominated
jobsinordertoincreasethewagesofthejobswomenprefer.
163
Another"toppriority"ofthisgroupisratificationoftheUnited
NationsConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsof
DiscriminationAgainstWomen.Onlyradicalfeministscouldbelieve
thesillinessthatthelotofAmericanwomenwouldbeimprovedby
allowingaUNagencytodefineourrights.
DomesticviolenceisanothermajoritemontheBeijingagenda.This
willencouragethefeministstodemandthatthe$1.6billionvotedby
CongressfortheViolenceAgainstWomenActbechanneledtotheir
friendsasfeministpork.
TheNationalEducationAssociationproducedavideoontheBeijing
Conferencecalled"CornerstonefortheFuture"featuring(surprise,
surprise)HillaryRodhamClinton.Designedtopromotediscussions
inmiddleschoolsaboutwomenasvictimswhoneedmore
governmentservices,thevideowaslaunchedbyMrs.Clintonata
middleschoolinFairfaxCounty,Virginia.
Thebehind-the-scenesactivistcoordinatingthisagendawasBella
Abzug,theformercongresswomanwhoisheadoftheWomen's
EnvironmentandDevelopmentOrganization,which(asexpected)isa
recipientofU.S.taxpayergrants.AtFeministExpo'96,organizedby
formerNationalOrganizationforWomenheadEleanorSmealand
heldinWashington,D.C.,Abzugboasted:"Youmadeacontractwith
theworld'swomen,andthathastobeenforced.Andhowdoesitget
enforced?Bypolitics,bypoliticalaction.”
Abzugisanexperiencedactivist.Inadditiontohertwelve-point
"ContractwithAmericanWomen"thatincludesdemandsfor
ComparableWorthandaffirmativeaction,sheboaststhatworkis
underwaytopromoteherplatforminhighschools,collegesand
universitiesthroughcoursesandseminarsonBeijing'snotionof
"genderequity.”
164
IfsherunsoutofU.S.taxpayergrants,AbzugcancallontheUnited
NationsDevelopmentFundforWomen,whoseliteratureannounces
thatitisworkingwithgovernmentstotransformBeijing's362
paragraphsinto"nationalstrategicplansandprograms.”
1996
ALousyWaytoRunaCompany
TheSistersofSt.FrancisinPhiladelphiausedtheirownershipofa
littlestocktoengageinfeministmischiefmaking.Theydemandedthat
aSili
conValleycompanycalledCypressSemiconductorselectitsboardof
directorsonthebasisofracialandgenderdiversity.CEOT.J.
Rodgerswrotebackwiththeput-downthenunsdeserved.He
rejectedtheirargumentsas"notonlyunsound,butevenimmoral."He
admonishedthemthatCypress'sboardofdirectors"isnota
ceremonialwatchdog,butacriticalmanagementfunction.”
ThenunshadtriedtolayaguilttriponCypressbysuggestingthatit
lackscorporate"morality"andChristianitybyfailingtoappointa
boardofdirectorswith"equalityofsexes,races,andethnicgroups."
Rodgersdidn'thedgeinhisresponse."Iamunaware,"hesaid,"of
anyChristianrequirementsforcorporateboards;yourviewsseem
moreaccuratelydescribedas'politicallycorrect,'than'Christian.'"
Rodgersexplainedthat,contrarytothenuns'argument,"awoman's
viewonhowtorunoursemiconductorcompanydoesnothelpus,
unlessthatwomanhasanadvancedtechnicaldegreeandexperience
asaCEO.”
Soundslikecommonsense,doesn'tit?"Ibelieve,"hesaid,"that
placingarbitraryracialorgenderquotasoncorporateboardsis
fundamentallywrong."Then,Rodgerswentontoarguethatthenuns'
presumptuousrequirementsforcorporateboardsare"immoral,"
whichhedefinedas"causingharmtopeople."Hepointedouthowall
165
theretireeswhosepensionfundsinvestinCypresswouldsufferif
Cypresswererunonanythingotherthanaprofit-makingbasis.
Sincetheletterfromthenunswassosanctimoniousthatitdidnot
allowforanypossibilitythataCEOcouldbemoralifhedisagreed
withtheirposition,Rodgerstoldthesistersto"getdownfromyour
moralhighhorse."Hereiteratedthat"choosingaboardofdirectors
basedonraceandgenderisalousywaytorunacompany.Wewill
neverbepressuredintoit.Wesimplycannotallowarbitraryrulesto
beforcedonusbyorganizationsthatlackbusinessexpertise.”
Rodgersobviouslywarmeduptothechallengefromthenuns'dogoodbusybodyism."Thepoliticalpressuretobewhatiseuphemized
asa'responsiblecorporation'today,"hesaid,"issogreatthatit
literally
threatensthewell-beingofeveryAmerican."HecitedaFortune
magazinereportshowingthattheso-called"ethicalmutualfunds"that
investaccordingtoasocial-issuesagenda,whichcontrol$639billion
ininvestments,producedan18.2percentreturninthelast12months,
whiletheS&P500returned27.2percent.Thus,theinvestorsinthe
"ethicalfunds"lost9percentof$639billion,or$57.5billioninone
year,becausetheyinvestedonasocial-issuesbasis!
Rodgersconcludedbystatingthathestandsfor"personaland
economicfreedom,forfreemindsandfreemarkets,aposition
irrevocablyinoppositiontotheimmoralattemptbycoerciveUtopians
tomandateevenmoregovernmentcontroloverAmerica'seconomy.”
Mayhistribeincrease,andmayhisforthrightstatementembolden
otherCEOStospeakup,too.
1996
TheUnitedRationsTreatyonWomen
PresidentClintoncalledaspecialnewsconferencein1997to
166
announcethathefindsit"anembarrassment"thattheU.S.Senatehas
notratifiedtheUnitedNationsConventionontheEliminationofAll
FormsofDiscriminationAgainstWomen.Hesaidthat,although130
othernationshaveratifiedthistreaty,theUnitedStateshasn't,and
"thereisnoexcuseforthissituationtocontinue.”
Atreatytoenforceuniformrulesforusandothernations,underthe
supervisionofUNbusybodybureaucrats,canonlydiminishthe
rightsandbenefitsnowenjoyedbyAmericanwomen.Ratificationof
thisUNTreatyonDiscriminationAgainstWomenwouldbecraven
kowtowingtotheradicalfeminists,exceededonlybyitsunlimited
capacityforlegalmischief.Itwouldbeamassiveinterferencewith
U.S.lawsaswellaswithourbalanceofpowersbetweenfederaland
stategovernments.
Articleipurportstoabolishdiscriminationagainstwomen"inthe
political,economic,social,cultural,civiloranyotherfield."Private
relationshipsshouldbenoneofourgovernment'sbusiness,muchless
thebusinessoftheUnitedNations.
Article2reiteratesthatthetreatywould"eliminatediscrimination
againstwomenbyanyperson,organizationorenterprise,"including
"customsandpractices."Nohumanbehaviorisbeyondthepurview
ofthisimpudentUNdocument.Thetreatywouldmandatethe
longtimefeministgoaloftotalsexualintegrationinthemilitary.It
wouldturnovertotheUNalldecisionsregardingmilitarypersonnel,
includingtheassignmentofwomentogroundcombat.
Article3wouldrequireustopassnewfederallawsnotonlyin
politicalbutalsoin"social,economicandculturalfields.”
Article5wouldrequireus"tomodifythesocialandculturalpatterns
ofconductofmenandwomen"andtogiveassurancesthatweare
followingUNdictatesabout"familyeducation.”
167
Article10wouldmakeitafederalresponsibilitytoensure"the
eliminationofanystereotypedconceptoftherolesofmenandwomen
atalllevelsandinallformsofeducation...bytherevisionof
textbooks...andteachingmethods."UnabletopersuadeAmericans
voluntarilytogoalongwiththeircensorshipattempts,thefeminists
aretryingtogettheUNtodothisjobforthem.
Article11wouldchainustothefeministgoalthatwagesshouldbe
paidonsubjectivenotionsof"equalvalue"ratherthanonobjective
standardsofequalwork.Itwouldalsorequirethefederalgovernment
toestablish"anetworkofchild-carefacilities.”
Article16wouldrequireustoallowwomen"todecidefreelyand
responsiblyonthenumberandspacingoftheirchildren."Infeminist
theory,thismeansthattheUnitedStateswouldhavetoallow
abortionsatanytimeforanyreason.Ontheotherhand,thislanguage
doesnotprotectChinesewomenvictimizedbytheirgovernment's
policyof
forcedabortions.Chinaassertsthatawomanisnot"responsible"if
shebearsmorethanonechild.
Article16alsolevelsabroadsideattackonstate'srights.Itwould
obligatethefederalgovernmenttotakeoverallfamilylaw,including
marriage,divorce,childcustody,andproperty.
Tomonitorthe"progress"madeunderthistreaty,Article17setsupa
CommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationAgainstWomen
consistingoftwenty-three"experts."Nodoubtthatmeanssuch
"experts"infeministideologyasHillaryRodhamClintonandBarbara
Boxer.
TheStateDepartmentmemothatexplainsthetreaty,whichwas
writtenbythelateEdmundS.Muskie,candidlyadmitsthatitapplies
168
"toprivateorganizationsandareasofpersonalconductnotcoveredby
U.S.law."Italsoadmitsthatthetreatycompletelyfailstotakeinto
account"thedivisionofauthoritybetweenthestateandfederal
governmentsintheUnitedStates.”
PresidentJimmyCartersignedthisterribletreatyin1980,andever
sincetheSenatehashadthegoodjudgmenttorefusetoratifyit.We
trusttheSenatewillretainitssanityonthisissue,despiteMr.
Clinton'sembarrassment.
1997
PaulaJonesandAnitaHill
IcannotresistponderingthefixthatPaulaJonesputthefeminists
into,andthefeminists'contortionsintheirvainefforttodefendtheir
ideologyandthepresidenttheylove.Itremainstobeseenwhether
BillClintonwillbeconvictedofsexualimproprietieswhilegovernor
ofArkansas,butJonescertainlyhasconvictedthefeministsof
hypocrisyanddoublestandards.Eventheliberalmediaarelaughing
atthem.
Thefunnythingis,thefeministsdidittothemselves.Astheold
sayinggoes,theymadetheirbedandnowtheyhavetolieinit.They
inventedthecurrentuseof"sexualharassment.”Thereisnothingin
Titlevn,theemploymentlaw,thatdefinesorprohibitssexual
harassment.Sexualharassmentisjudge-madelaw,andthefeminists
areresponsibleforitswidespreaduse.
Withoutthefeminists'campaignagainstsexualharassmentthatbegan
withAnitaHill,andtheirclaimthatitisapervasiveproblem,there
wouldbenoPaulaJoneslawsuit.AndwithoutPaulaJones'slawsuit,
wewouldneverhaveknownaboutMonica,Kathleen,Dolly,
Clinton'sperjury,Clinton'sobstructionofjustice,andtheintimidation
ofClinton'sbimboswhodidn'tkeeptheirmouthsshut.
ThefeministsareclaimingthatPaulaJonesandherbackersjustwant
169
to"undothe1992election":theyjustcan'tstanditthatClintonwon.
Oh,really?TheAnitaHillhearingwasallabouttryingtoundo
GeorgeBush'svictoryinthe1988electionbydenyinghimhisright
tonameaconservativejusticetotheSupremeCourt.
NowthefeministsaresayingPaulaJonesshouldn'tbebelieved
becauseshe"waitedtoolong."Buthowlongistoolong?Howcan
Paula'stwo-yearwaitbe"toolong"whenAnitaHillwaitedtenyears?
Paula'schargeswerenot,likeAnitaHill'scharges,alast-minute
ambushtopreventhertargetfromachievinghighoffice.
Theclassicmodelofsexualharassment,accordingtofeminist
ideologues,istheBigBossaskingsexualfavorsofafemale
subordinate.Infeministdogma,this"powerrelationship"
automaticallycreatessuchahostileworkenvironmentthattheBig
Bossneednotthreatenthewomaninordertobeguiltyofthesinof
sexualharassment.That'sexactlythemodelofBillClintonandPaula
Jones,aminimum-wageclerkwithlimitededucation,justtwomonths
onthejob,beingsummonedbyHisHonortheGovernor,andeven
escortedtoHisPresencebythestatepolice.AnitaHill,ontheother
hand,wasalawyerwhoknewherrightsandwhocouldnothave
beenfiredfromhercivilservicejob.
ThefeministsallegethatPaulaJonesshouldbedisbelievedbecause
hercasewasassistedbysomeofBillClinton'senemies.Well,well!
AnitaHillwassurrounded,promoted,andcoachedbyfeministsand
liberalswhohadidentifiablypoliticalmotivestoblockthe
confirmationofClarenceThomas.Anybodywhoattendedthe
Thomasconfirmationhearingswouldhaveseenthewholeassortment
offeministsandliberalsclusteredaroundher,includingtheNational
OrganizationforWomen,theNationalAbortionRightsLeague,and
thestaffsofSenatorsTedKennedyandHowardMetzenbaum.
Whenitcomestosexualallegationsthatcannotbepositivelyproved
170
onewayortheotherbecausetherearenoeyewitnesses,mostpeople
decidewhatiscrediblebasedonapatternofbehavior.InClarence
Thomas'scase,despitealltheinvestigativeeffortsoftheliberalmedia
andtheliberalSenatestaff,no"secondwoman"wasunearthedto
comeforwardwithsimilarcharges.
Ontheotherhand,Paula'schargeshavecredibilitybecauseof
Clinton'spatternofbehavior.AsPatBuchananwrote:"PaulaJones
maynothavegottenherdayincourt,butshegotherpoundofflesh."
Clintonwillgointothehistorybooksasanembarrassmenttoour
nation.
1998
ViolenceagainstWomen
Thefederalgovernment'sinsatiabledemandformorepowerwas
sloweddownbytheSupremeCourtinUnitedStatesv.Morrison.
TheSupremeCourtjustsaidnoandproperlyinvalidatedakey
provisioninthe1994ViolenceAgainstWomenAct(VAWA).
Atissuewaswhetherthefederalgovernmentcanregulateaspectsof
marriageanddomesticrelations,whichhavealwaysbeenwithinthe
exclusivedomainofthestates.Radicalfeministsandtheiralliesinthe
mediasoughttotransferthispowertothefederallevel,wherethey
canmoreeasilyapplypoliticalpressure.Suchafundamentaltransfer
inpowerfromthestatestothefederalgovernmentshouldrequirea
constitutionalamendment.ButafterClintonwonthepresidencyand
controlofCongressin1992,thoseseekingfederalcontrolover
domesticrelationstriedamoredirectapproach.
SenatorJoeBiden(D-DE)includedintheVAWAalittlenoticed
provisiontounderminelocalcontroloverdomesticissues.He
piggybackedonmediasensationalismaboutthe1991NavyTailhook
convention.Thatprovision,section13981,gavefederalcourts
unprecedentedpoweroverdomesticrelations.Ifthisprovisionhad
171
beenupheldbytheSupremeCourt,therewouldbenoconstitutional
limitationonfederalexpansioninthisarea.Itwouldhavebeenagiant
steptowardsatakeoverofmarriageanddomesticrelationslawbythe
federalgovernment.
VAWAalsoincludedaprovisionawardingattorney'sfees,thereby
creatingabonanzaforcontingency-feeattorneysseekingtointimidate
defendantswithallegationsofrapeandevenspousalrape.While
statesplacesensibletimelimitsonsuchaccusationstoassureprompt
andfairinvestigationofthefacts,VAWAallowedattorneystomake
allegationsuptofouryearsafterwards.
Nooneishelped,leastofallwomen,whenacriminalvictimturnsto
acontingency-feeattorneyratherthantolocalpolice.Iftheallegations
aretrue,onlythelocalpolicecanstoptheperpetratorfromcontinuing
toharmthevictim.Iftheallegationsareembellishments,noone
benefitsfromthespectacleofafederalcourt,yearslater,tryingto
separatefactfromfiction.Acadreofgold-diggingattorneystraipsing
tofederalcourtwouldlikelymaketheproblemworse.
Finally,inVirginia,acourageousfederaljudgestooduptothe
pressureanddefendedthefundamentalprinciplethatlocaldomestic
relationsdisputesshouldbeaddressedpromptlybylocalauthorities.
WhenU.S.v.MorrisonreachedtheSupremeCourt,sixty-seven
liberalandfeministorganizationsfiledamicuscuriaebriefsinanat
tempttopreservethisfederalintrusion.Itwasthefeminists'most
importantcase,andtheyweredeterminedtowinit.Attorneyswere
salivatingattheopportunitytoapplyVAWAtomanyofthemillionplusdomesticbreakupsthatoccureachyear,whichcouldeasilyhave
translatedintoanewbillion-dollarindustryforlawyers.
Fortunately,theSupremeCourt,inastraightforwarddecision,
confirmedthatCongresscannotdowhattheConstitutiondidnotgive
172
itauthoritytodo.
ThemediaandVAWAsupporterspersistentlyconcealedthefactthat
thedefendantsinU.S.v.Morrisonwereblackswhohadbeen
exoneratedbythecriminaljusticesystem,yetwerelatersubjectedto
civilallegationsunsupportedbyanindependentinvestigation.Their
victoryinthiscase,afteryearsofbeingsmeared,wasatriumphof
justice.
2000
IV
Agender-NeutralMilitary
Theyshallyetbeliethyhappyyears
Thatsaythouartaman.Diana'slip
Isnotmoresmoothandrubious;thysmallpipe
Isasthemaiden'sorgan,shrillandsound,
Andallissemblativeawoman'spart.
TwelfthNight
WomenShouldNotServeinCombat
Thepushtorepealthelawsthatexemptwomenfrommilitarycombat
dutymustbethestrangestofallaberrationsindulgedinbywhathas
becomeknownasthewomen'sliberationorfeministmovement.The
veryideaofwomenservinginmilitarycombatissounnaturalthatit
almostsoundslikeadeathwishforourspecies.
LastSunday'snewspaperscarriedafront-pagepictureofaman
expressingthedisgustoftheaverageAmericanwiththehumiliation
ofournationbytheradicalsinIran.Themanheldupalargesignthat
said,"Kickme,I'manAmerican."Yet,hereweareataHouse
committeehearingatwhichrepresentativesofthewomen'sliberation
movementare,inessence,saying,"Kickme,I'mawoman.Iwantto
besentintowarwhereIcanbeshotatandcapturedjustlikeaman."
173
Somemenseemwillingtoletthathappen.
Hasournationsunksolowthatwearewillingtosendourdaughters
intobattle?Ischivalrycompletelydead?Breathesthereamanwith
soulsodeadthathewillnotriseupanddefendhiswife,his
sweetheart,hismother,orhisdaughter,againstthosewhowantto
woundorcapturethem,whoevertheymaybe?
Thereisnoevidenceinallhistoryforthepropositionthatthe
assignmentofwomentomilitarycombatjobsisthewaytopromote
nationalsecurity,improvecombatreadiness,orwinwars.Indeed,the
entireexperienceofrecordedhistoryteachesusthatbattlesarenot
wonbycoedarmiesorcoednavies.EvenHitlerandtheJapanese,
whentheyranshortofmanpower,founditmoreefficienttouse
underageandoveragemenincombatthantousefemaletroops.Of
thethousandsofbookswrit161
tenaboutWorldWarn,nooneeverwrotethatHitlerortheJapanese
shouldhavesolvedtheirmanpowershortageproblembyusing
womenincombat.
Everycountrythathasexperimentedwithwomenincombathas
abandonedtheidea.Israelusedwomenincombatforafewweeksin
thewarof1948butneverdidsoinlatermilitaryoperations.Women
arenowtreatedverydifferentlyfrommenintheIsraeliarmedforces.
Theyserveonlyabouthalfaslong;theyarehousedinseparate
barracks;theyhaveanautomaticexemptioniftheymarryorhavea
baby.Israelhasasmallerpercentageofwomeninitsarmedforces
thantheUnitedStates.
TheSovietUnionusedsomefemaletroopsinWorldWar11buthas
sinceabandonedthisaltogether.Womenmakeuplessthanone
percentofSoviettroopstoday.Theremustbeareasonforthe
unanimousverdictofhistorythatthearmedforcesdemanddifferent
174
rolesformenandwomen.
Thefirstreasonisthatwomen,ontheaverage,haveonly60percent
ofthephysicalstrengthofmen.Thistruism,soself-evidenttothose
witheyestosee,hasbeenconfirmedbymanystudies.However,
underpressurefromthefeministmovement,muchofthisevidenceis
notallowedtoseethelightofdayor,ifitdoes,iscouchedin
apologeticterms.Forexample,areportbytheComptrollerGeneralof
theUnitedStatescalled/^OpportunitiesforWomenintheMilitary:
ProgressandProblemssurveyedtheactualexperienceofenlisted
womenplacedonmilitaryjobsformerlyreservedformen.The
ComptrollerGeneralsaid,"IfastheAirForceSurgeonGeneralhas
concluded,femalesareonly60percentasstrongasmales,itseems
therearesomejobsthatmales,ontheaverage,candobetterthan
females.”
AsItravelaroundthecountry,Idomanyradiocall-inprograms.
EverywhereIgo,IhearthesamecomplaintfrommenintheU.S.
ArmedServices:thewomenaregettingthesamepayandhavethe
samerankasthemen,buttheyarenotdoingtheequalwork,andthe
malesol
diersmustdopartofthewomen'sjobsforthem.Thissituationisnot
justandisdestructiveofmoraleandgoodpersonnelrelations.
Sex-neutraltreatmentofmenandwomeninthemilitaryisjustas
unfairtowomenasitistomen.Ifyouinterviewthewomenwhoare
armyprivatesornavysailors,yougetadifferentstoryfromthatof
theofficerswhomusttoetheadministrationline.
Thesecondreasonfortheunanimousverdictofhistorythatthe
armedforcesdemanddifferentrolesformenandwomenisthat
womengetpregnantandmendonot.Thatparticularsex-role
stereotypehasbecomeatremendousprobleminthemilitarytoday.
Whyshouldanyonebesurprised?Whenyoungmenandwomenin
175
theagegroupofeighteentotwenty-fivearerequiredtoliveinclose
proximity,oftendoingunpleasanttasksandsufferingfromloneliness
awayfromhome,theinevitablehappens.Newsstoriesreportthatthe
pregnancyrateisabout15percentamongservicewomen.Another5
percenthavehadtheirbabiesandbroughtthembacktothepost.The
raperateisalsosaidtobeabouttwicewhatitisincivilianlife.
Yetwearetoldthatthearmedservicescannotdischargeawoman
whobecomespregnantbecausethatwouldbe"sexdiscrimination"
unlesstheservicesalsodischargethefatherofthebaby!Anditwould
beobviouslyimpossibleforthearmedservicestodischargeevery
manwhofathersababy.Theservicesarerequiredtoignorethe
obviousfactthatpregnancykeepsawomanfromdoingherjobina
waythatfatherhooddoesnotinterferewithaman'sperformanceon
thejob.
Howdidwegetintoourpresentsituation,inwhichourmilitary
officersareissuingmaternityuniforms,openingnurseriesonarmy
posts,andpretendingthatwomencandoanythingthatmencando?
Fortheanswertothat,wemustlookattwoofthefalsedogmasofthe
women'sliberationmovement.
Thefirstfalsedogmaisthattherereallyisnodifferencebetweenthe
sexes(exceptthoseobviousonesweneednotdiscuss)andthatall
thoseotherdifferencesyouthinkyouseearenotinherentbutaredue
merelytosex-rolestereotypingwhichcanandmustbeerasedbysexneutraleducation,laws,andchangedattitudes.Thesex-neutraldogma
isvariouslycalledgenderfree,unisex,ortheeliminationofsexism
fromoursocietyandattitudes.
NeitherCongressnorthemilitarywilleverbeabletocopewiththe
problemsanddemandsraisedbythefeministsuntilwerealizethatthe
feministslookuponthemilitaryasavehicletoachievethegender-free
goalsofthewomen'sliberationmovement—notasaninstrumentto
176
defendtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Sincethearmedservicesarean
institutionwherepeoplemustobeyorders,itistheperfectvehicleto
enforcethesex-neutralgoalsofthefeministmovement.Feminists
alsolookuponthearmedservicesasagiantsocialwelfareprogram,
designedtoprovideupwardsocialmobilityforminoritieswhich,
accordingtotheirpeculiardefinitions,includewomen.
ThenationalsecurityoftheUnitedStates,justicetothemajorityof
youngmenandwomen,respectforthewishesofthegreatmajorityof
theAmericanpeople,andrationalbehavioralldemandthatwe
continuetostructurethearmedservicesofournationonthe
commonsensepremisethattheremustbedifferentrolesformenand
womeninthemilitary.Wecannotallowthosevaluestobeupsetand
disorientedbythestridentdemandsofafewover-draft-agefeminists
whohavehigh-levelaffirmative-actionjobsinthePentagon,orbythe
handfulofhigh-rankingwomenofficerswhoseekgreaterrecognition
attheexpenseoftheirsisterswhowillhavetomarchinthecombat
infantry.
Itisinterestingthatthedesireofwomenforsex-neutraltreatmentin
themilitaryisusuallyininverseproportiontotheirrank.Afewof
themhavedelusionsofgrandeurthatwomenmustbeacceptedas
armchairgeneralsandadmirals,butthepricethatourowndaughters
willhavetopayintheranks,incaseofanotherwarorareinstated
draft,isfartoohigh,asisthepriceofreducedcombatreadiness.
Thesecondfalsedogmaofthewomen'sliberationmovementisthat
wemustbeneutralbetweenmoralityandimmorality,andbetweenthe
institutionofthefamilyandalternativelifestyles.Asthenational
conferenceonInternationalWomen'sYearatHoustonin1977
proved,thefeministsdemandthatgovernmentpolicyaccordthesame
dignitytolesbiansandprostitutesastowives,toillegitimatebirthsas
tolegitimate,toabortionsastolivebirths,andthatwesupport
immoralandanti-familypracticeswithpublicfunds.Indeferenceto
177
feminists,thearmedservicesarenowsupportingandmaintaining
servicewomenwhoengageinimmoralpracticesandbringtheirbabies
backtotheposts.Wemuststopthispublicfundingofimmorality.
ThepurposeofthearmedservicesistodefendtheUnitedStatesof
America—nottocreateatax-fundedhavenforsexuallyactiveyoung
menandwomen,norisittoserveasagiantsocialwelfareinstitution.
Theneedforcombat-readytroopsandastrongernationaldefensehas
neverbeengreaterinourcountry'shistory.Theveryideaofordering
womenintocombatjobswouldsendamessagetotheworldthatwe
havereducedthestrengthofourtroopstothephysicalstrengthofthe
averagefemale.Itwouldbeasignofweaknessbecauseitwouldtell
theworldwedonothaveenoughmenwillingtodefendAmerica.
IurgeCongresstorejectalldemandstorepealthelawsthatexempt
servicewomenfromcombatjobs.IurgeCongresstomaintainand
reinforcethetime-testedrulethattheremustbedifferentrolesformen
andwomenintheUnitedStatesarmedservices.Anythinglessthan
thatwillwastethevaluableenergiesofourmilitaryofficersonthe
exhaustingtaskofcopingwiththeescalatingdemandsofafew
feministspokesmenwhodonotspeakforanyonebuttheirown
narrowgroup.Thefirstpriorityofthearmedservicesshouldbeto
rebuildthemilitarystrengthandthecombateffectivenessofthe
UnitedStates.
TestimonytotheHouseArmedServicesCommittee,Military
PersonnelSubcommittee,November16,1979.
1979
TheFeminizationoftheU.S.Military
ThesameweekthatMiddleEastterroristsandthehostageproblem
dominatedthenews,theNewYorkTimesfeaturedafront-pagestory
headlined"WestPointPicksWomantoLeadCadetCorps.”The
positionoffirstcaptainoftheCorpsofCadets,theacademy'shighest
178
honor,putsherinchargeofoverseeingvirtuallyallaspectsoflifefor
the4,400WestPointcadets.
Thepictureshowedacasual,T-shirted,straggly-hairedtwenty-yearoldgirl.Whatdoyousupposethebadguysoftheworld—the
terrorists,theSoviets,theChinesethugs,Qaddafi,orCastro—think
whentheyseethisimageoftheoneselectedtoleadWestPoint
seniors?
WestPoint'ssuperintendent,GeneralDaveR.Palmer,said,"She
doesnothavethepositionbecauseshe'sawoman."Heiscorrect,but
notthewayhemeantit.Shehasthishonorbecauseheisawimpwho
toadiestothefeministswhoareconstantlybreathingdownhisneck
anddemandingmore"careeropportunities.”
TheTimesarticletriedtoreassureitsreadersthatshedeservesthis
positionofleadershipoverallotherWestPointcadets,90percentof
whomaremen,bysayingshehas"astrongacademicrecord,played
soccerandcompetedincross-countryskiing."Andonemore
qualification:she"workedasaspeechwriterinthePentagon."As
QueenVictoriawouldhavesaid,"Wearenotamused.”
Thesuperintendentwhomadethisnewsworthychoicemustthinkhis
missionistotrainyoungpeopletobepaperpushersinthePentagon
inapeacetimemilitary,whilekeepingfitwithathletics(butnotthe
reallytoughmen'ssports).Butifthat'sallWestPointersarebeing
trainedfor,thecadetscangotoanystateuniversityatone-twentieth
thecosttothetaxpayers.
WhenGeneralDouglasMacArthur,heroofthreewarsandthemost
distinguishedcadetwhoevergraduatedfromWestPoint,delivered
his
great"Duty,Honor,Country"commencementspeechthereonMay
12,
179
1962,hegaveittothemstraight."Yourmissionremainsfixed,deter
mined,inviolable.Itistowinourwars.Everythingelseinyour
professionalcareerisbutcorollarytothisvitaldedicationYouarethe
ones
whoaretrainedtofight."MacArthurcontinued,"Yoursisthe
professionofarms,thewilltowin,thesureknowledgethatinwar
thereisnosubstituteforvictory,thatifyoulose,thenationwillbe
destroyed.”
Timesandweaponshavechanged,butthemissionofWestPoint
graduatesis—orshouldbe—thesameasiteverwas.Thisisnota
missionforgirls(eveniftheyexcelatskiingandspeechwriting),but
amissionforrealmen.
AsMacArthursaid,WestPointmustgraduatemenwho,whether
theyare"sloggingankledeepthroughmireofshell-pockedroads,...
blue-lipped,coveredwithsludgeandmud,chilledbythewindand
rain,"or,ontheothersideoftheglobe,in"thefilthofdirtyfoxholes,
thestenchofghostlytrenches,theslimeofdrippingdugouts,"in"the
lonelinessandutterdesolationofjungletrails,"canbereliedonto
musterthestrengthandcouragetokilltheenemy.
Canwebelievethatthis112-pound,five-foot-four-inchgirlcando
that—andinadditionleadtroopsofmentoriskdeathundersuch
circumstances?Youhavetobekidding!
Theofficialexcuseforthiscateringtothefeministsisthatthebaby
boomersarenowpastmilitaryage,causingashortfallofmenwho
willvolunteerfortheall-volunteerservices.Buttherealreasonthere
isashortfallofmalevolunteersisnotdemographics:itisthe
feminizationofthemilitary.Menareattractedtoserveinthemilitary
becauseofitsintenselymasculinecharacter.Thequalitiesthatmake
themcourageoussoldiers—aggressiveness,risktaking,and
enjoymentofbody-contactcompetition—areconspicuouslyabsentin
women.
180
Fightingwarsisamissionthatrequirestough,tenacious,and
courageousmentoendurethemostprimitiveanduncivilized
circumstancesandpaininordertosurviveincombatagainstenemies
whoarejustas
tough,tenacious,andcourageous,andprobablyviciousandsadistic,
too.Thearmiesandnaviesofeverypotentialenemyareexclusively
male,andnowomendiminishtheircombatreadiness.
Pretendingthatwomencanperformequallywithmenintasksthat
requirethoseattributesisnotonlydishonest,itcorruptsthesystem.It
discouragesmenfromenlisting,anditdemoralizesservicemenand
keepsthemfromdevelopingthoseskillsthatproduceDouglas
Macarthur’sandGeorgePatton’sinourcountry'shourofneed.
1989
pending(^MotherstoWar
Thenewspaperphotographsofsoldiermotherstearfullysaying
goodbyetotheirbabiesastheydepartedtoserveintheGulfWar
shockedAmericanswhohadnotrealizedthatthisiswhatthe
ideologyoffeminismdemands.TheU.S.armedserviceseven
shippedoutbreastfeedingmothersofinfantsonlyafewweeksold.
Howuncivilizedhasournationbecome!Nonationalemergency
requiredthisinhumanesacrifice.NocauseintheMiddleEastjustified
thisshametoournation.
InaspeechatthePentagonlastfall,PresidentGeorgeBushsaidthat
hesentourforcestotheMiddleEastinordertodefend"ourwayof
life."Sendingmomstobattleisn'tthe"wayoflife"foranyAmericans
exceptfeministswhoareovermilitaryandchildbearingageand
haven'tanydaughters.
Whocreatedtheasininerulethatmothersofnewbornsare"fully
181
deployable"?Itsurelywasn'tCongressortheAmericanpeople.The
Pentagonmadeitsownrule,anditisuptothePentagontodigitself
outofthishole.U.S.lawspecificallyexcludesnotjustmothersbutall
womenfrommilitarycombatduty.WhentheCarteradministration
triedtorepealtheselaws,Congressheldhearingsandsaidtoforgetit.
Butthefeministsdidn'tgiveup,sincecombatdutyhasalwaysbeen
thecuttingedgeoftheirgoaltotransformAmericaintoafullygenderneutralsociety.MilitantfeministsinthePentagon,andinthetaxfundedspecial-interestlobbycalledDACOWITS(DefenseAdvisory
CommitteeonWomenintheServices),naggedthemilitaryuntilso
many"combat-related,""combat-support,"and"combat-zone"
positionswerefilledbywomenthatthedistinctionbecameblurred.
ThegreatandpowerfulU.S.militaryhasbeenpretendingthereisno
differencebetweenmenandwomen,eveniftheyaremothers,and
thatgivingbirthtoababyisonlyatemporarydisability,likebreaking
aleg.Tocarryonthispretense,officialU.S.militarypolicyhas
ignoredcommonsense,familyintegrity,andAmericanculture.
Thedeceptionappearedtobesatisfactoryinthepeacetimemilitary,
whenwomenwerepursuingtheircareeropportunitiesandupward
socialmobility,asthefeministsliketosay.Butthenalongcameawar
withrealbulletsand,assummarizedinarecentheadline,"Forwomen
nearthefrontlines,there'snosuchthingasnon-combatduty.”
TheU.S.militarydeliberatelychosetoignorethebabieswhoarethe
chiefvictimsofthissillypretense.It'sembarrassingtoseethesebig
toughofficers,withtheirchestsfullofmedals,complaining,"Those
womensignedupvoluntarilyandfiledformsstatingthat,incasethey
weredeployed,theyhadarrangedfora'careprovider'forthechildleft
behind."It'snowobviousthatthisprocedurewasasham.
Twenty-year-oldgirlsdidn'tcomprehendhowtheirworldwould
182
changeifababycameintotheirlivesandwehadashootingwarat
thesametime.Olderofficersshouldhaveknownbetter;yetthey
allowedthoseyoungwomentoliveinthedreamworldofbelieving
thathavingababyiscompatiblewithmilitaryservice,andthat
militaryservicehasnothingtodowithwar.
OnenewmotherorderedbyourmilitarytoshipoutfortheGulfsaid
shefeltshehadtogobecauseshemadeacommitmentand"thereare
timeswhenwe'remothersandtimeswhenwe'resoldiers."Asifthey
areequallyimportant!Thetruthisthatthereisonlyonejobinthe
worldshecandobetterthananyoneelse,andthatistobeamotherto
herownbaby.ThereareamillionmeninAmericawhocoulddoher
jobintheGulf.
ThemeninthePentagonandthearmedserviceshavebroughtthis
embarrassmentonournationbecausetheyallowedthemselvestobe
henpeckedbythemilitantfeminists.Thewholeideaofmensending
women,includingmothers,outtofighttheenemyisuncivilized,
degrading,barbaric,andembarrassing.It'scontrarytoourculture,to
ourrespectformenandwomen,andtoourbeliefintheimportanceof
thefamilyandmotherhood.
Andfurthermore,noonerespectsamanwhowouldletawomando
hisfightingforhim.
1991
'ThePregnancyProblem
TheproposaltoassignwomentocombatdutyintheU.S.armed
servicesisbasedonthefeministideologythatthereisn'tany
differencebetweenmenandwomen—thatmenandwomenare
fungibleinalloccupations,eveninthemostdemanding,vicious,and
dangerousoccupationofmilitarycombat.
So,howdoesthemilitarydealwiththeproblemthatwomenget
183
pregnantandmendonot?Whenaservicewomangetspregnant,sheis
giventheoptionofresigningimmediately(escapingfromthe
remainderofhertermofenlistment)orhavinglimiteddutyduring
pregnancy,
receivingfullmedicalbenefits,receivingpaidmaternityleaveranging
fromsixweekstoacoupleofmonths,andpromisingtoaccept
deploymentthentoanywhereintheworld.
Itcosts$1million,moreorless,dependingonthetypeofaircraft,to
trainapilotintheU.S.armedservices.Whenwarcomesandthereis
somenastyfightingtodo,everyfemalepilotwouldhavetheoptionto
say:"Pardonme,fellas.I'mtakingninemonthsofffromflyingin
ordertobepregnant,andthenacoupleofmonthsmoretorecuperate.
Youguysgoaheadandkillofftheenemy,andI'llseeyouallinabout
ayear.”
Allthefemalepilotswon'tgetpregnant,butsomeofthemwill.Even
iftheypromise,atthestartoftheirtraining,nottogetpregnant,some
willchangetheirminds.Basedonactualexperiencesincethesex
integrationofthearmedservices,about10percentofservicewomen
arepregnantatanyonetime.Thearmy'srateofdischargefor
pregnancyduringDesertShieldandDesertStormwasfourtimesthe
normalrate.
Afewfactsleakedoutdespitetightmilitarynewsmanagement.
WhentheshipAcadiadockedinSanDiego,ithadthirty-sixpregnant
crewmembers.WhentheYellowstonedocked,twentyofthecrew
werepregnant.Thenavyspokesmandefensivelyprotested,"These
womenhavearighttogetpregnant.”
ThecolumnistJackAndersonreportedfromSaudiArabiathat
doctorstoldhim"theirmostfrequentvisitorswerewomenaskingfor
pregnancytestsbecauseapositiveresultwouldbeatickethome.”
184
Thissituationisnotfairorjustorequal.Thelifeofaserviceperson
inpeacetimecanbeinteresting,exciting,andproductive.Thelifeofa
soldierinwartimecanbenasty,dangerous,andfatal.OurallvolunteerarmyisvoluntarywhenGIJoeandGIJanesignup—but
oncetheysignup,it'snotsupposedtobevoluntarywhethertheytake
thewartimedutywhenitcomes.
Repealingthecombat-exclusionlawsforwomenwouldgivewomen
expensiveaircrafttraininginpeacetimealongwiththechoicetoopt
out(bypregnancy)whenthenastydutycomesalong.Ofcourse,the
menwouldgetnosuchoption.
Themilitarywomenwhoappearonpanelsandontelevisiontoargue
thatpregnancyisnotaproblemareusuallycareerwomenoverchildbearingagewithnochildren.Womeneligibleforcombatassignment
areintheirprimechildbearingyears:eighteentotwenty-sixyearsold.
Thereisnowayoutofthisdilemma.Wehearaconstantrefrainthat
timeshavechangedandthatpublicattitudeshavechanged.Thereis
nochangeinthefactthatyoung,healthywomenareapttoget
pregnant.Feministideologyhasnotyetcorruptedourthinkingtothe
extentthatthemilitarywouldsendapregnantpilotuptoengagein
aerialdogfightingwiththeenemy.
Repealingthecombatexclusioncannotbyanystretchofthe
imaginationbejustifiedas"equalrights"or"anendto
discrimination."Repealingthecombatexclusionwouldbemanifestly
discriminatoryagainstmenandagainstthosewomenwhowantto
pursueaseriousmilitarycareeranddonotbecomepregnant.
Afterayearofpregnancyandmaternityleave,duringwhichtimethe
servicewomanreceivesfullpaywhileothershavebeendoingallor
partofherwork,wefacethemotherhoodproblem.Presentmilitary
policyisbasedonthefeministnotionthatthereisn'tanydifference
185
betweenmotherhoodandfatherhoodandthat,aftermaternityleave,
thenewmotherisfullydeployableanywhereintheworld.Afterall,
shevoluntarilyenlisted,sosheissupposedtomakedaycare
arrangementsforherbaby.
It'sridiculouseventodiscusswomenincombatuntilthemilitary
comestogripswiththepregnancyandmotherhoodquestions.The
presentpoliciesarecontrarytocombatreadiness,commonsense,and
respectforfamilyintegrity.
1991
AffirmativeactionintheMilitary
Repealingthecombatexclusionlawssothatwomenofficerscanfly
planesinmilitarycombatwouldmeanaffirmativeactionquotasfor
womeninanoccupationinwhichtheycannotcompeteequallywith
men.Weknowthiswouldbetheresultbecauseofthemountainof
evidencethatwomenarenotperformingequallywithmeninmilitary
servicetoday.
WecanthanktheVirginiaMilitaryInstitute(VMI)trialforproviding
uswithproofofhowaffirmativeactionfunctionsforfemalecadetsat
WestPoint.ThosewhosuedVMItoforceittoadmitwomenandto
feminizeitscurriculumcalledastheirwitnessColonelPatrickToffler,
aWestPointspokesman,whowassupposedtotestifythatsex
integrationisasuccessattheU.S.MilitaryAcademy.Duringfive
hoursofcrossexaminationunderoath,herevealedalotofthingsthat
WestPointhadheretoforeconcealed.
ColonelToffleradmittedthatWestPointdoesnotrequirethesame
physicalperformanceoffemalecadetsthatitrequiresofmalecadets.
HeadmittedthatWestPointhasdualstandardsformalesandfemales;
thatwomencadetsdonotpassthesamephysicaltestsasthemen;and
that,iftheyperformthesametask,thewomenaregivenhigher
grades.Femalecadetsareallowedtoholdleadershippositionsbased
186
ontheirpaddedscores.
ColonelToffleradmittedthatthetraininghasbeenchanged—
"modified"hecalledit—toaccommodatewhatthefemalecadetsare
physicallycapableofdoingandsothattheywon'tbe"psychologically
discouraged."Forexample,anumberofeventshavebeeneliminated
fromtheobstaclecourse"whichrequireconsiderableupper-body
strength,"cadetsnowruninjoggingshoesinsteadofinboots,a
lighter-weightriflehasbeensubstituted,judoisallowedtosubstitute
forboxing,andtheforcedmarchcarryingaheavypackhasbeen
eliminated.
ColonelToffleradmittedthatWestPointhasasex-quotasystemfor
theadmissionofwomencadetsandfortheirassignmentafter
graduation(forinstance,totheengineers)."Thosequotashavegotto
bemet,"hesaid.Thewomencadetsdonotcompetewiththemen,but
competeonlyagainsteachotherfordesignatedfemalequotaslots.
ColonelToffleradmittedthat,toaccommodatethewomenwho
cannotperformaswellasthemen,WestPointhaschangedfrom
equaltrainingofallcadetsto"comparableorequivalenttraining."
Thisistheconceptthat,ifmenandwomenexertequivalenteffort,
theywillberankedasthoughtheyhadachievedequalperformance.
Sincewomenlackthearmstrengthtodopull-ups,theyarerequired
onlytoexert"comparableeffort"todoa"flexedarmhang.”
ColonelToffler'ssworntestimonyprovesthatWestPointhasbeen
engagedinapracticecalled"gendernorming,"thatis,givingwomen
highergradesonteststhanmenreceiveforsimilarachievement.
ColonelToffleradmittedthatnofreespeechispermittedaboutthe
performanceofwomenatWestPoint.Femalecadetsareallowedto
correcttheirsuperiorswhousesuchwordsas"chairman"insteadof
"chairperson,"butmenarenotpermittedtomakeanynegative
187
statementaboutwomeninthemilitary.TheNewYorkTimesreported
onMay26thatitisa"career-killer"foramantoutteranything
negativeabouttheperformanceofwomen.ColonelTofflerevensaid
thatthecadetsaregivensensitivitytrainingtohelppromote
acceptanceofthesex-integratedprogram.
1991
TheMythofIsraeliWomeninCombat
Oneofthefeminists'falseargumentsusedtopromoterepealofthe
lawsandregulationsthatexcludewomenfrommilitarycombatdutyis
the
assertionthatwomensuccessfullyfightalongsidemenintheIsraeli
army.ThisargumenthasbeenbolsteredbypicturesofIsraelifemale
soldierstrainingwithweaponsandbeingtaughttomarchandshoot.
Thiswholeargumentisafabrication.Israeltriedusingwomenin
combatinthewarof1948butabandoneditasabadideaandnever
trieditinsubsequentwars.Israelifemalesoldiersaredefinitelynot
treatedlikemalesoldiers.
AdispatchfromJerusalembyafemalereporterfortheChicago
Tribunetolditlikeitis,forthefirsttime,inametropolitannewspaper.
Therealityisnotagun-totingfemalesoldierfightingalongsidemen,
but"aboredeighteen-year-oldinastuffyofficewherethemost
excitingmilitarytaskismakingcoffeeforhermalecommanding
officer.”
WomenaredraftedinIsrael,butmendothreeyearsofcompulsory
militaryservice,whilewomenserveonlytwoyears.Almostallmen
serve,butatleastone-thirdofdraft-agewomenreceiveexemptions,
eitherbecausetheyaremarriedorarestrictlyobservantJews.After
activeservice,menspendatleastonemonthayearonreserveduty,
andinthelastfouryearsmanyhaveservedtwomonthsayear.
Women,exceptfornurses,areexemptfromreserveduty.
188
Basictrainingissixmonthsformen,onlyonemonthforwomen.
Manysaythewomen'straining"ismostlyajoke."Onefemalesoldier
said,"It'sagamethatweimitatewhattheboysdo,butitisirrelevant
towhatwedolater.Theyteachyoutoshoot,takeyououton
marches,andthensendyoutobeasecretary."TheTribunequoted
onefemaleofficersaying,"Awomaninthe[Israeli]armyislikea
musicianinanorchestrawhoisallowedtodoeverythingbutplay.
Thearmyissuper-sexist,anditcan'tbeanydifferent.Thewomanis
alwaysthehelper.”
WomenareassignedtoaseparateWomen'sCorps,muchlikeour
WACSandtheWAVESduringWorldWarn.Thearmyapparently
doesn'tconsidertheWomen'sCorpsessential:thechiefofstaff,
GeneralEhudBarak,wantstoeliminateittocutthebudget.More
thanone-thirdofIsraelimilitarywomenworkassecretaries.
TheTribunesinterviewsdiscoveredthat"mostIsraelisofbothsexes
believethatwomencannottakethepressuresofwaraswellasmen."
Onefemalesoldiersaid,"Wecan'tcarryasmuchorstanduptothe
pressuresandconditions.Whoevertellsyouwecan,don'tbelieve
him.”
Shesaidthat,attheendofherbasictraining,thethenheadofthe
Women'sCorpstoldthefemaledraftees,"Thejobofthewomanisto
bringsparkandchictothearmy.Youshouldbringflowersintothe
office,smileandmakesureyouruniformispressed."Whilesomeare
notwhollypleasedwiththepresentprocedures,thereporterfound
that"nobodysuggeststhatwomenfight.”
Shefoundthat"eventhosewomenwhoserveasinstructors,then
watchtheirtraineesassumecommandofthetankorpersonnelcarrier
andgotowar,saytheywouldnotwanttofightevenifthearmy
changesitsrules."Oneinstructorsaid,"SometimesIfeelfrustrated,
189
butIthankGodIdon'thavetobeinasituationwhereIhaveto
choosewhetherornottohitaman.”
TheIsraeliarmyisdifferentfromtheU.S.Armyinafundamental
way.IntheUnitedStates,manypeoplelookonourarmedservices
notasacommitmenttogotowar,butasacareeropportunityoffering
upwardsocialmobility.Jointheservice,seetheworld,getan
education,andbeallthatyoucanbe.TheU.S.armedserviceshave
beenpretendingthattheywanttobeanequalopportunityemployer
whileconcealingthedoublestandards,femalequotasandgender
normingthathaveaccompaniedthebuildupofwomenintheU.S.
militarytoitsapproximate10percentfiguretoday.
ThecurrentdebateinCongressoverrepealofthecombatexclusion
lawsisagoodtimetoexposethetruthaboutthedoublestandards
appliedtowomenandmenintheU.S.armedservices.Thearmytest
allowswomenthreeminutesmorethanmentodoatwo-milerun;
menmustdofortypush-ups,womenonlysixteen.Thenavytest
allowswomenthreeminutesmorethanmentodoa1.5-milerun;men
mustdotwenty-ninepush-ups,womenonlyeleven.TheMarine
Corpsre
quiresmentodothreepull-upsbutdoesn'trequirewomentodoany
atall—justasixteen-secondflexedarmhang.
Israelcan'taffordtheluxuryofplayingaroundwithsocial
experimentation,becauseithastheconstantthreatofwarhanging
overitshead.Commentingonthesex-integrationpracticesoftheU.S.
armedservices,oneIsraeligeneralsaid,"Wedonotdowhatyoudo
intheUnitedStatesbecause,unfortunately,wehavetotakewar
seriously.”
1991
Womendon’tBelonginCombat
Theissueisnotwhetherwomencanbeassignedtocombatdutyin
190
theU.S.armedforces,butwhethertheyshouldbe.Thequestionwe
shouldaskisnotwhethersomewomencanperformadmirablyin
manymilitarysituations(theycan),butwhethertheU.S.armed
servicesaregoingtorankfundamentalAmericanfamilyvaluesabove
thefeministgoalofasex-neutralsociety.
WhenwelookbackontheGulfWar,oneoftheimagesthatare
searedintoourmemoryisthatoftearfulsoldier-motherssaying
goodbyetotheirtwo-month-oldbreast-feedingbabies.Thatwasa
nationalembarrassment.Howdidthisunnaturaleventhappen?There
wasnoshortageofable-bodiedmento"man"thosepostsinthe
MiddleEast.Thoseunhappycasesweretheresultofadeliberate
Pentagonpolicytoacquiesceinthefeministdoctrinethatmenand
womenarefungible,thatmilitaryassignmentsmustbemadewithout
regardtothesexoftheindividual,andthattheU.S.armedforces
shouldbeaninstrumentofsocialexperimentationtodemonstratetotal
sexequality.
Thiswomen-in-combatissueisnotanewissue;ithasbeenwidely
debatedacrossAmerica.Itwasthecuttingedgeoftheten-year
constitutionalbattlethatwaswagedacrossourcountryfrom1972to
1982over
theproposedamendmenttotheU.S.ConstitutioncalledtheEqual
RightsAmendment.ERAwouldhaveputasex-neutralstraitjacketon
oursociety.Itwouldhaveforced(amongotherthings)preciselythe
resultthatisbeforeyouinthiscommission,namely,assigning
womentocombat.
ThechiefERAtheoretician,YaleLawSchoolprofessorThomasI.
Emerson,laiddowntheofficialERAlineinaone-hundred-page,
widelyquotedarticleintheYaleLawJournal(April1971)."As
betweenbrutalizingouryoungmenandbrutalizingouryoung
women,"hewrote,"thereislittletochoose....Womenwillservein
allkindsofunits,andtheywillbeeligibleforcombatduty."This
191
militaryissuewastheprincipalreasonwhyERAwasdefeated,
despiteimmensesupportfromimportantpoliticiansandorganizations,
amplefunding,andtheuniversalclamorofthemedia.
Throughoutmanywars,ourAmericanculturehasapprovedofa
differenceoftreatmentbetweenyoungmenandyoungwomen.Yet,
allthefeministleaderswithoutexception—andIdebatedscoresof
them—alwayssaid:Yes,womenmustbedraftedandassignedto
combat;that'swhatwewant;that'sequality!Theycouldnotsellthe
Americanpeopleonthatunnaturalpolicy,andthat'samajorreason
whyERAfailed.
ThefeministscarriedtheirdemandtotheU.S.SupremeCourtinthe
1981casecalledRostkerv.Goldberg.ThebrieffiledbytheNational
OrganizationforWomenlabeledwomen'sexemptionfromthe
militarydraft"blatantandharmfuldiscrimination"andsaiditconsigns
womentoa"second-classstatus.”
TheSupremeCourtruledinRostkerv.Goldbergthatitis
constitutionalforCongresstoexemptallwomenfromthemilitary
draftandfromdraftregistrationbecausedraftregistration,
conscription,andmilitarycombatareallonecontinuum.TheCourt
baseditsdecisiononthefactthatanymilitarydraftisforthepurpose
ofraisingcombattroops.So,womencanbeconstitutionallyexempted
fromthedraftandfromdraftregistrationonlybecausetheyarenot
eligibleforcombatduty.
TheSupremeCourtspecificallycitedthestatutoryrestrictionsonthe
participationofwomenincombatinthenavyandairforce(10U.S.C.
6015and8549)asthereasonwhygirlsarenotrequiredtobedrafted.
Therearemanycultural,societal,family,pregnancy,andpractical
reasonswhywomenshouldnotbedrafted.Womenhavemore
importantthingstodo,suchastakingcareoftheirbabiesandkeeping
theirfamiliestogether.And,ofcourse,womencanserveas
192
volunteers.ButwhentheSupremeCourtstatesthatcombatexclusion
isthereasonforexemptingwomen,thenthatisthelawoftheland,
andwemustmakeourdecisionsinthelightofthatruling.
Thismeansthatadecisiontoassignservicewomentomilitarycombat
doesnotaffectvolunteerservicewomenonly.Thisdecisionisalifethreateningandafamily-threateningdangertoeverygirlwhoisdraft
agenoworinthefuture.Wehavenocrystalball—wecannotknow
whatthefutureholdsintermsofwarorareinstateddraftthatcould
imposeinvoluntaryconscriptiononyoungwomen.
Thewomen-in-combatdecisionmustnotbemadeonthebasisof
whatisdesiredbyvolunteerservicewomen.Itshouldbemadeforthe
welfareofthe99.8percentofAmericanwomenwhohavenotchosen
amilitarycareer.Thisincludeswomenwhobelievethattheirfamily
comesfirst,womenwhodonotwanttospendtheirchildbearing
yearstryingtodowhattheentireworldhasalwaysconsideredman's
work,andwomenwhobelievethatmotheringismoreimportantthan
flyingaplaneordrivingatank.
Americanculturehonorstheobviousandeternaldifferencesbetween
menandwomenandexpectsthemtoberespectedbythemilitary.
Americanwomendoexpecttheirfathers,brothers,husbands,and
sweetheartstodefendthemfromthebadguysoftheworld,and
Americanculturewillnotaccepttheimageofmenathomewhile
womengoofftofighttheenemy.
Furthermore,weexpectthemilitarytoadheretoastandardof
honestyaboutthedifferencesbetweenmaleandfemaleperformance,
rather
thandeceivethepublicthroughdoublestandards,gendernormingthe
tests,set-asides,andquotas,combinedwithintimidatingallegations
about"sexualharassment"againstmenwhocriticizethesestandards.
193
Weheartheconstantrefrainthat"timeshavechanged,"butthereis
nochangewhatsoeverinobviousfactsofhumannature,suchasthat
menandwomendifferinsomanyimportantways,thathealthyyoung
womenareapttogetpregnant,andthatthereisaprofounddifference
betweenmale-to-malebondingandmale-to-femalebonding—afactor
thatcanmakethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathonthebattlefield.
Nomatterwhatsocialchangesareallegedtohavetakenplace,the
policiesofourU.S.armedforcesshouldrespectthedignityandvalue
ofmarriageandmotherhood.
Womenserveourcountryadmirably,bothonthehomefrontandin
manypositionsintheU.S.armedforces.Buttheyshouldnotbe
assignedtomilitarycombat.
TestimonytothePresidentialCommissionontheAssignmentof
WomenintheArmedForces,June9,1992.
199a
ThefeministAssaultonV.<^M.I.
Foracenturyandhalf,VirginiaMilitaryInstitute(VMI)conducteda
uniquestyleofundergraduateeducationwhichgraduatesdisciplined,
honorableyoungmenwhoareexemplarycitizensandarereadyto
servetheircountryintimeofwar.Itisatoughregimenthatfewmen
canendureandnowomenhaveevertried.TedKoppelcalledit
"quaint,"buttheproofofVMI'Svalueisthemanythousandsofgood
citizensandleadersithasgraduatedsince1839.
Thosewithcommonsenseandexperiencewithlifecanunderstand
whywomenwerenotrushingtoenrollinVMI.Mostwomendon't
liketobeforcedtokeeptheirhaironlyone-fourth-inchlong,tobe
called"BrotherRat,"tobeinsultedandorderedaroundasVMI
freshmenare,ortosharecommonwashroomswithabunchofmen.
Mostwomendon'tlikethelackofprivacyinvolvedinbeing
194
forbiddentohavealockonyourdoororacurtainonyourwindow,
orhavingstrangersenteryourbedroomatanyhour,dayornight,or
bodycontactsports.
YouwouldthinktheDepartmentofJusticewouldhaveenoughto
do,dealingwithournation'smanylegalandcriminalproblems,but
onaslowdayin1990JusticefiledsuitagainstVirginiaMilitary
Institute,charging"sexdiscrimination"becauseVMIdoesnotadmit
women.
Thepurposeofthismischief-makinglawsuittoforcetheall-male
VirginiaMilitaryInstitutetoadmitwomenwasn'tabout"endingsex
discrimination"or"allowingwomentohaveaccesstothesame
educationalbenefitsthatmenhaveatVMI."Itwasano-holds-barred
fighttofeminizeVMIwagedbytheradicalfeministsandtheirallies
inthefederalgovernment.Thefeministsjustcan'tstanditthatany
institutioninAmericawouldbepermittedtotrainrealmentomanifest
uniquelymasculineattributes.Feministswanttogenderneutralize
societysotheycanintimidateandcontrolmen.
Thefeminists'longtime,self-proclaimedgoalisanandrogynous
society.Repudiatingconstitutionalintent,history,tradition,and
humannature,theyseektoforbidus,inpublicorprivatelife,to
recognizethedifferencesbetweenmenandwomen.
Feministstrategyisstraightforward:whinethatwomenarevictimsof
centuriesof"oppression"and"stereotyping,"layaguilttriponmen,
anduseallthestereotypicalculturaltechniquesthatwomenhave
alwaysusedtowheedlewhattheywantoutofmen.Then,use
feministsonthepublicpayrollinallthreebranchesofgovernmentto
changethelawsinordertoforceustoconform.
So,theSupremeCourt,speakingthroughRuthBaderGinsburg,
ruledthatitisunconstitutionalforVMItoexcludewomen.The
195
notionthatamilitaryinstitutionthatfunctionedwithsuccess,public
acceptance,andsignificantprestigefor157years,suddenly,oneday
inJune1996,couldberationallysaidtoviolatetheConstitutionis
patentlyridiculous.BlackrobesandGinsburg'sdeviousrhetoric
about"scrutiny"can'tmakesenseoutofsuchjudicialarrogance.
WhenVMItriedtocomplyandtreatfemalecadetsjustlikemale
cadets(whichiswhatthefeministssaidtheywantedbeforethe
SupremeCourtdecision),itturnedoutthatequalitywasn'twhatthey
wantedafterall.JanetReno'sfeministJusticeDepartmentwentto
courttoarguethatfailingtomakeadjustmentsforfemalerecruits
wouldamountto"discrimination"becauseitwoulddiscourage
womenfromapplyingorleadthemtodropout.Governmentlawyers
arguedthatVMImustmakefar-reachingeffortstoattractandretain
femalerecruitsanddevelopspecialtrainingforthem.
TheVMIcaseisjustonemoreexampleoftheliesanddouble
standards,thechicaneryandhypocrisy,thatarepartandparcelof
feministstrategy,tactics,andobjectives.
1996
TheKellyflinnflimflam
KellyFlinn,thefirstfemaleB-52pilot,wastheairforce'spostergirl
forthesupposedlysuccessfulsexintegrationoftheairforce.Shewas
thegoldengirlwho"proved"thatwomeninthemilitarycan"hold
theirown"withmen.ShewastheanswertothePatriciaSchroeder
battalioninCongresswhoweredemandingthatwomenbeputin
combatjobs.ButKellyblewitbyindulginginadultery,perjury,and
disobedience.Shecommittedtheparticularkindofadultery(called
fraterniza
tion)thatcannotbetoleratedinamilitaryofficer,namely,havingsex
withanenlistedmanandthenwiththehusbandofanenlistedwoman.
Whentheairforcedisciplinedher,themediawentintoafeeding
196
frenzy,allowingthefeministstoportrayherasavictim,andshe
becamesomethingofafeministcausecelebre.DickMorris,Bill
Clinton'spoliticalconsultant(whorosetonotorietyandalucrative
bookdealafteraparticularlygrossadulterousrelationship),predicted,
"Ithinkshemaybecomeaverysignificantfeministfigureand
spokesperson."Fortunately,hispredictionhasnotcometrue.
TheevidenceagainstKellyFlinnwassooverwhelmingthattheair
forcehadtopresscharges.Shewasnot"singledout,"butwastreated
highlypreferentiallycomparedtothesixtymenwhomtheairforce
hadcourt-martialedforadulterythepreviousyearandthemanymale
officerswhosecareersweredestroyedformuchlesseroffenses.
Theaggrievedspouse,AirmanGaylaZigo,explainedinherletterto
thesecretaryoftheairforce:"Lessthanaweekafterwearrivedon
thebase,Kellywasinbedwithmyhusbandhavingsex....Inseveral
occasions,Icamehomefromworkandfoundheratmyhousewith
Marc.Whileatmyhouse,shewasalwaysinherflightsuitflaunting
thefactthatshewasanAcademygraduateandthefirstfemale
bomberpilot."Gayla'sletterquotedKellyassayingthat"shewanted
tosettledownwithsomeone."Gaylaadded,"Ididn'tknowthatthat
somebodywasmyhusband.”
ThemilitaryistoblameforleadingyoungwomenlikeKellyto
mistakenlybelievetheycandoaman'sjob.Ofcourseshecanpilota
plane,butthere'salotmoretobeingamilitarypilotthanguidingthe
plane'scontrols.ShetriedtoexcuseherselfonCBS'S60Minutesby
saying,"Iwasonlytwenty-fiveyearsoldandIwasconfused."Can
weaffordtohavesomeoneconfusedwhopilotsaB-52carrying
nuclearweapons?
Kelly'spositionrequiredtheemotionalmaturityandstaminatowork
atabasewhereherpeershadwivesbutshedidnot.Kellywas
lonesome.Hermother,whiningaboutKelly'spredicament,saidthat
the
197
cadwhomKellycalledher"firstlove"was"thefirstmanwhomade
herfeellikeawoman.”
Wehavebeenendlesslytoldthatwomeninthemilitarycanperform
justlikemen.Nowwelearnthatthetopfemalebomberpilotreally
wantedtobetreatedlikeawoman.WhentheairforcehandedKelly
Flinnawrittenordertobreakoffherrelationship,shechoseherlover
overherspectacularcareer,tellingtheNewYorkTimes,"Ifiguredat
leastI'dsalvagemyrelationshipwithMarc[Zigo].”
HavinglosttheirbattletosaveKellyFlinn'sairforcecareer,the
feministsthentookrevengeonairforcegeneralJosephRalston,who
wasnominatedforchairmanoftheJointChiefsofStaff.Tosabotage
hisappointment,thefeministsdugupanoldcaseofhisadultery.
Ralston'scase,however,wascompletelydifferentfromKellyFlinn's
(shewasguiltyoffraternization,disobedience,andperjury),butthe
differencewaslostunderthefeminists'tirades.Soweendureda
publicdebateofseveralweeksonwhetheradulteryshouldbeabarto
promotiontohighoffice.
Surveysofthemediaeliteoverthepastdecadehaveconsistently
shownthatthenation'sopinionmakersdonotbelievethatadulteryis
wrong.Theywouldliketomakeitsociallyacceptable.TheNewYork
Times,forexample,ridiculedthemilitary's"antiquatedadultery
rules.”
TheGallupPollreportsthat94percentofAmericanssayadulteryis
wrong.Theadvocatesofunfetteredsexualactivityaretryingtopaint
thosewhoaffirmthestandardofmaritalfidelityashypocritesbecause
theevidenceshows"Americansdoitanyway."Butthatdoesn'tmean
theyarehypocrites;itjustmeansthattheyhavesinned.Christians
believethatmanhasafallennatureandispronetosin,and
forgivenessstartswithadmittingyou'vedonesomethingwrong.
198
Thesexualrevolutionthatstartedinthe1960shasn'tliveduptoits
promiseoffreedomandfunforever.Ithasproducedrecordratesof
divorce,illegitimacy,socialdiseases,andmessed-uplives.Theculture
wargoingoninsideAmericahascausedagreatmanycasualtiesand
willcausemanymore.Settingupacommissiontowritenewmorality
rulesforthemilitarywillonlyprolongtheagony.Theoldrulesare
stillvalid.Inthelongrun,therewillbefewercasualtiesifthemilitary
leadsthewaytoarestorationofduty,honor,andthesanctityof
marriage.
1997
12D
CanYouBeAllYouCan<Be?
ThePentagoniscomplainingthatit'sinanearcrisisbecause
recruitmentnumbershavetakenanosedive.Thearmyandairforce
arefallingfarshortoftheirtargetedgoals,whilethenavyis
squeakingbyonlybyloweringitsstandardsandrecruitingquotas.
Ourmostexperiencedpilotsareleavinginunprecedentednumbers,
andevenlargecashinducementscannotprevailonthemtoreenlist.
Thearmyistryingtoenticeyoungmentoenlistbyoffering"signing
bonuses"ofthousandsofdollars.That'sontopofotherbonuses
includingasmuchas$50,000forcollegetuition.Butraisingthepay
ofourservicepersonnelandbuyingthemglitzierequipmentwon't
remedytheproblems.
Thetwomajorproblemswiththemilitarytodayare(1)the
assignmentofU.S.militarypersonneltoforeignconflictsthatbearno
relationtoAmericannationalsecurityand(2)thefeminizationofthe
military.Anotherproblemformoraleisthecourt-martialingof
honorableservicemenforsuchoffensesasrefusingtowearaUnited
Nationsuniformorrefusingtobe"shot"withtheexperimental,
controversialanthraxvaccine.
199
ThePentagonisblamingouraffluentsociety,lowunemployment,
civiliancareeropportunities,thefactthatthepoolofyoungmenage
eighteentotwenty-twohasdeclined,andparticularlythedropinthe
numberwhohavehighschooldiplomas.Thearmyisstartinga
programtopaythousandsinthislattergrouptostudyforGEDSSO
theycan
qualifytoenlist,whichofcoursemeansthatthetaxpayerswillpaya
secondtimetoteachrecruitswhattheyweren'ttaughtinpublic
schools.
GlobalcopsandglobalsocialworkersarenotwhattheU.S.armed
servicesaresupposedtobe,andClinton'sattempttotransformthe
missionofthemilitaryisamajorreasonforthefalloffinrecruitment
andretentionrates.Furthermore,contrarytoadministration
propaganda,Clinton'speacekeepingexpeditionswerenotnation
buildinginHaiti,Somalia,orBosnia,andtheycertainlywerenot
humanitarianinYugoslavia.
SecretaryGeneralKofiAnnan,inhisspeechthisfalltotheUnited
NationsGeneralAssembly,calledfor"anewcommitmentto
intervention."Hiscalltoviolatenationalsovereigntyforphony
"humanitarian"purposesfloutstheUNandNATOcharters,justas
Clinton'swarinYugoslaviafloutedtheU.S.Constitution,which
givesthewar-makingpowertoCongressnotthePresident.Wedon't
needhighpricedconsultantsandsurveystotelluswhyyoung
Americansarenotsigningup.Theydon'twanttoserveinaforeign
legionunderforeigncommandersforundefinedandunconstitutional
purposes.
HouseMilitaryPersonnelSubcommitteechairmanSteveBuyer(RIN)saiditbest:"We'refoolingourselvesifwebelievewecansolve
theproblemwithmoreGEDprogramsormoremoneyforads.What
weneedisachangeinforeignpolicy.”
200
"BeAllThatYouCanBe"wasoneofthemostsuccessfuland
memorableofalltwentieth-centuryadvertisingslogans.Underthe
adviceofconsultantshiredtorefocusits$300millionrecruitment
advertising,thearmyisabandoningthisfamousslogan.
Thearmyhasorderedhundredsofnewenlisteestogobacktotheir
hometowntopersuadesomeoftheiroldneighborstosignup.When
aNewYorkTimesreporteraskedoneofthesenewprivateswhathis
salespitchis,hesaidhetellshisoldbuddiesthat"itain'tsobad."
Maybethearmywillnowbeerectingbillboardsthatread"Jointhe
Army—ItAin'tSoBad.”
ThePentagon'snewpublicrelationsconsultantsaresupposedto
research"theattitudesandhabitsoftheyoung"inordertodesignnew
advertising.Buttheconsultantsarewastingtheirtimeiftheystart
fromthemind-setthatourgoalmustbeagender-neutralmilitaryand
thatrecruitmentstrategymustappealequallytomenandwomen.
Agender-neutralmilitaryiswhatthefeministshavebeendemanding
fortwenty-fiveyears,andnowthatthefeministsareinthedriver's
seatoftheClintonPentagon,wecanseethefollyofthisgoal.What
thefeministsreallywantistogivetheorders,withthemencowed
intosubmission.
Everybodywithordinarycommonsenseknowsthat,underthe
ClintonAdministration'ssocialengineeringinpursuitofagenderneutralmilitary,thereisnowayaservicemancan"beallthathecan
be."CoedbasictrainingandthePentagon'srefusaltoallowwomento
failintestsforofficerassignmentsmeanthatstandardshavebeen
redefinedandloweredtofemaleachievementlevels.
Gender-integratedbasictraininghasresultedinlowerstandards,
moreinjuriestowomen,moreresentmentamongmen,and
201
scandalousexamplesofrapeandsexualharassment.Anofficialtaxfundedsurveyfoundthat76percentofmaletrainersand74percent
offemaletrainerssaythatdisciplinehasbeenhurtbygenderintegratedtraining.
Realmenwillnotbeattractedtojoinanorganizationthatinvitesthem
tobeallthatawomancanbe.The1992PresidentialCommissionon
theAssignmentofWomenintheArmedForcesfoundthat,inthe
scoringofphysicaltestsattheU.S.NavalAcademy,a"B"gradefor
womeninthe1.5milerunisroughlyequivalenttothe"D"gradefor
men.Thewomen's"A"gradeinpush-upsisthesameasa"C"grade
formen.Inthefieldobstaclecourse,menjumpoverawalltwofeet
higherthanwomenhavetojump.That'scalledgendernorming.
ThepurposeofthemilitaryistodefendAmericansagainstthebad
guysoftheworld.Thewarriorculture,withtough,all-maletraining,
iswhatattractsyoungmenintothearmedservicesandmotivatesthem
tosacrificepersonalcomfortandsafetywhileservingtheircountryin
uniform.
Dumbingdownthephysicalandpsychologicalrequirementssothat
Clinton'spoliticalappointeesandthemedaledbrasscancontinueto
tellusthatwomenandmenareperformingequallyisdestructiveof
moraleformanyreasons,nottheleastofwhichisthatitisalie.
Funnything,theMarineCorpsdoesn'tseemtosufferfromthese
problems.Ithasn'tsuccumbedtomixed-genderbasictraining,and
recruitsofbothsexescanrealisticallyaspiretobeallthattheycanbe.
TheClintonistas'attackonmoralsisanotherpersonnelproblemthat
iscausingmoraletosuffer.Thispolicyinflictedcareer-ending
punishmentonaservicemanwithasuperiorrecordbecausehe
objectedtospendingforty-eighthourssecludedwithafemalenothis
wife.
202
AtMinotAirForceBase,NorthDakota,thepracticeistosendtwo
officersdowntothebaseofthemissilesilo,wheretheyspend
twenty-fourtoforty-eighthourssecludedinaspaceaboutthesizeof
aschoolbus,withonebedandonebathroombehindacurtain.The
Minotmissileforcehas250menandeighty-threewomen,resultingin
thehighprobabilityofmixed-gendertwo-personcrews.
LieutenantRyanBerry,amarriedCatholic,objectedtobeingsocozy
forsolongwithawomannothiswife.Hewaspunishedbyhis
commandingofficer,whospoutedthefeministmantrathatequal
opportunityistheairforce'stoppriority.LieutenantBerry'scase
provesthatequalopportunityforwomenrequiresindiscriminate
assignmentthatfloutscommonsense,therealitiesofhumannature,
thedignityofmarriage,andrespectforthewivesathome.
1999
WomenDon'tBelongonSubmarines
TheDefenseAdvisoryCommitteeonWomenintheServices
(DACO-WITS),atax-fundedcivilianfeministlobbygroupthattries
tosetPentagonpolicy,hasbeenpushingforyearstogetwomen
assignedtodutyonsubmarines.Womenonsubsisaterribleidea.
Thenavy'shighest-rankingadmiralsarestronglyopposed,butthe
powerfulfeministsintheClintonAdministrationaretryingtogettheir
waybyexecutiveorder.
Thiswouldbegrosslyunfairtosubmariners,whoseundersealifeis
difficultenough.Picture,ifyoucan,130peoplelivingtogetherforsix
monthsatatimeinthespaceofamedium-sizedhouse.Submariners
patroltheoceansincrampedquartersthatlackfreshair,sunshine,and
privacy.Sleepingareasandsanitaryfacilitiesareone-halftoone-third
smallerthansurfaceships,wellbelowrequirementsfortheother
Navyships.Eachshowerservesfiftyenlistedsubmariners,compared
totwenty-fiveonsurfaceships.About40percentofthecrewmust
203
"hotbunk,"meaningthreesailorssharetwobunksinrotatingshifts.
Juniorcrewmembersfrequentlysleeponmattressesinnoisytorpedo
rooms.
Theshipalterationsnecessarytoaccommodatewomenonsubs
wouldfurtherreducelivingstandardsor,alternatively,makeit
necessarytoremoveoperationalequipment.Thesemillionsofdollars
wouldbespentjusttopleasethecivilianfeministsinthePentagon,
nottoimprovereadinessormorale.
Femalesailorsofchildbearingagewouldfaceparticularmedicalrisks
onsubmarines.Airinasubmarineisconstantlyrecycledandtrace
elementsintheatmosphere,suchascarbonmonoxide,cannotbe
filteredout.Suchelementsarereasonablysafeforadults,buttoxicfor
anunbornchild.
Facedwithapregnantsailorwhofearsirreversiblebirthdefects,a
submarinecaptainwouldhavetochoosebetweentwounacceptable
alternatives:exposingtheunbornchildtotoxicelementsatatimeof
greatestriskorcompromisingthesecretmissionbyrevealingthe
submarine'slocation.Mid-oceanevacuations,accomplishedbymeans
ofabasketdanglingfromahelicopter,aredangerousforall
concerned.
ThetragiclossofRussia'sKurskremindstheworldthatsubmariners
operateinanextremelyhazardousenvironmentmoreunforgivingthan
outerspace.Asubmarineisnoplaceforfeministexperimentsor
civilian-mandatedcompromisesthatendangerinnocentlives.
ThepushforwomenincombatrolesintheU.S.armedservicesisa
fantasyofthefeministswhodreamofarmchairfemalegenerals
runningthePentagon.Thispushiscomingonlyfromthefemale
officerswhoseektheircareeradvancementattheexpenseofthe
enlistedwomenwhowouldgettheheavyanddangerouswork
204
withoutanyoftheglamourofpilotingplanes.Repealingthecombat
exclusionlawswouldbetraytheenlistedwomenbecausetheysigned
upwhenthelawassuredthemtheywouldbeexcludedfromcombat.
A1997RANDstudycalledRecentGenderIntegrationinthe
Military:EffectsUponReadiness,CohesionandMoralefoundthat
79percentofarmyenlistedwomenand71percentoffemale
noncommissionedofficersopposeservingincombat.Only10percent
offemaleprivatesandcorporalssaidthatthearmyshouldtreat
womenexactlylikemen.ProfessorCharlesMoskosofNorthwestern
UniversityinterviewedscoresofwomenwhoservedinthePanama
invasion,andhedidn'tfindanyenlistedwomenwhofavorrepealof
thecombatexclusionlaws.
2000
TheSpecial-InterestLobbyCalledDACOWITS
ThemediaarehavingafielddaycriticizingthelobbyistsforEnron,
buttheyareoverlookingthemosteffectivespecial-interestlobbyists
ever
tofunctioninWashington.Theyhavemetwithhigh-ranking
administrationofficials,theydirectlyinfluenced(somewouldsay
dictated)importantnationalsecuritypolicies,andtheyswaggeredwith
theprotocolrankofthree-stargenerals.
Theyhavebeenimpudenttotheircritics,secretivewiththemedia,
high-handedintheirdemands,anddishonestinmaintainingtheir
power.Whoelsewouldhavethechutzpatosurreptitiouslyuse
defensesecretaryDonaldRumsfeld'sautomaticsignaturepentosign
theconfirmationpapersoftheirpalsselectedbyformerdefense
secretaryBillCohenbeforeBillClintonleftoffice?
Ifyoufiguredoutthatthesespecial-interestlobbyistsaretheradical
feministsmanning(excusetheexpression)therampartsofpolitical
correctness,youarecorrect.Wearetalkingaboutmembersofthe
205
DefenseAdvisoryCommitteeonWomenintheServices
(DACOWITS),atax-fundedlobbythathasprovidedtheradical
feministsaplatformtolobbytomaketheU.S.armedservicesgender
neutral.
DACOWITShasdemandedthatwomenbeassignedtosubmarines,
tothecrewsofMultipleLaunchRocketSystems(thevehiclesthat
launchrocketsduringland-combatoperations),tothehelicoptercrews
ofspecialoperationsunitssuchastheArmyRangers,andevento
landcombatunitsthatdirectlyengagetheenemy.
Suchpolicies,ifeveradopted,wouldcompromisetrainingstandards,
weakenmorale,worsendeploymentproblems,hurtrecruitingand
retention,andendangerthelivesofthemenwhowouldhaveto
dependonfemalesoldierstocarrytheirshareoftheload.Such
policiesignorethefactthatonlyabout3percentofwomenscoreas
wellastheaveragemanonthePhysicalFitnessTest,andmost
womencan'tthrowahandgrenadefarenoughawaytokeepfrom
killingthemselves.
ThegoldeneraofDACOWITS'Sfiftyyearsofpromotingsocial
experimentationintheU.S.militarywas,ofcourse,thepro-feminist
ClintonAdministration.NoDACOWITSrecommendationwastoo
extremefortheBillandHillaryWhiteHouse,whosePentagon
appoin
tee,AssistantSecretaryoftheArmySaraLister,attackedthemarines
as"extremist."MembersofDACOWITSappointedbyBillClinton
votedthirty-threetozerotodemandfeministpoliciesinthemilitary
thatareopposedbycombatexperts.
Thefeministsco-optedU.S.RepresentativeHeatherWilson(R-NM)
topleadtheircasetoPentagonofficials.InameetingwithPaul
Wolfowitz,sheclaimedthatwomenintheservice"needtohavea
voicethatisoutsidethechainofcommand."Thatargumentisafraud.
206
DACOWITSisnotavoicefor"women"intheservice:it'savoice
onlyforwomenofficerswhorideroughshodovertheconcernsof
enlistedwomen,theoverwhelmingmajorityofwhomdonotwantto
beassignedtomilitarycombat.
GetyourhankyouttocryforthetwoexamplesRepresentative
WilsongaveWolfowitzofhowDACOWITSisneededtohelp
service-women.DACOWITSmadesurethatwomen'shygiene
productsareavailableatbasestores,andDACOWITScorrectedthe
"problem"thatfemalepilotswhogavebirthtonewbabieswerenot
allowedbackintothecockpitasfastaswomenwhotookothertypes
ofmedicalleave.AndDACOWITSinsiststhatthearmyhavean
adequatesupplyofmaternityuniforms.
DACOWITS'sgoalhasalwaysbeencareerismforfemaleofficersat
theexpenseofcombatreadiness.Nowthatarealwarisgoingon,this
isnotimetotrytoappeasetheunappeasableClintonfeministsintheir
perennialpursuitofanandrogynousmilitary.
TheBushadministrationistobecommendedforallowingtheold
DACOWITSchartertoexpireonFebruary28,2002,firingtwentytwoClintonadministrationholdoversandanevenlargernumberof
staffmembers,andreconstitutingDACOWITS'dutiesunderamore
limitedcharter.
MarriageandMotherhood
Omistressmine,whereareyouroaming?Ostayandhear,yourtrue
love'scoming,
Thatcansingbothhighandlow.
Tripnofurther,prettysweeting.
Journeysendinloversmeeting,
Everywiseman'ssondothknow.
207
TwelfthNight
2002
ChoosingaCareer
Marriageandmotherhoodhavealwaysbeenthenumber-onecareer
choiceofthelargemajorityofwomen.Dotheystillmakeaviable
careerforthemodernwoman?Dotheyrepresentservitudeor
fulfillment?Arethey,asthewomen'sliberationmovementwould
haveusbelieve,arelicfromabygoneera,theinstitutionalized
serfdomfromwhichwomenmusthefreediftheyaretofindtheir
ownidentityandself-fulfillment?
Whatisitthatthewomen'sliberationmovementinviteswomentobe
liberatedfrom?Anobjectivereadingoffeministliteraturecompelsthe
conclusionthattheanswermustbemarriage,home,husband,family,
andchildren—because,bydefinition,thoseareallevidencesofthe
"second-classstatus"ofwomen.Feministliteraturepaintsmarriageas
slavery,thehome(inBettyFriedan'swords)asa"comfortable
concentrationcamp,"thehusbandastheoppressor,thefamilyasan
anachronismnolongerrelevanttowoman'shappiness,andchildren
asthedailydrudgeryfromwhichthemodernwomanmustbefreedin
ordertopursuemorefulfillingcareers.
Longbeforewomen'slibcamealongandmade"housewife"aterm
ofderision,ithaditsownuniquedignity.The1933editionofthe
OxfordEnglishDictionarydefinedahousewifeas"awoman
(usually,amarriedwoman)whomanagesordirectstheaffairsofher
household;themistressofafamily;thewifeofahouseholder.Often
(withqualifyingwords),awomanwhomanagesherhouseholdwith
skillandthrift,adomesticeconomist."Ahousewifeisahome
executive:planning,organizing,leading,coordinating,and
controlling.Shecansetherownscheduleandstandardsandhavethe
freedomtoengageineverything
195
208
fromchildrentocivicwork,frompoliticstogardening.Whatmanon
ajobcandothat?Marriageandmotherhoodarenotforeverywoman,
butbeforeayoungwomanrejectsitoutofhand,sheshouldgiveit
fairconsiderationasoneofheroptions.
Whatdoesawomanwantoutoflife?Ifyouwanttoloveandbe
loved,marriageoffersthebestopportunitytoachieveyourgoal.Men
maywant,orthinktheywant,acafeteriaselectionoflunch-counter
sex.Butmostwomencontinuetowantwhattheoldpopularsong
calls"aSundaykindoflove."Marriageandmotherhoodgivea
womannewidentityandtheopportunityforall-roundfulfillmentasa
woman.
IsraelipremierGoldaMeirwastheoutstandingcareerwomanofher
time.Sheachievedmoreinaman'sworldthananywomaninany
country—andshediditonability,notonherlooksorherlegs.The
GallupPollrepeatedlyidentifiedherasthemostadmiredwomanin
theworld.YetGoldaMeirsaidthathavingababyisthemost
fulfillingthingawomancaneverdo,andsheputdownthewomen's
liberationistsasabunchof"bra-burningnuts.”
Ifyoungwomenthinkthattherearegreatercareersatisfactionsin
beingelectedtoimportantpositions,travelingtoexcitingfaraway
places,havingexecutiveauthorityoverlargenumbersofpeople,
winningabiglawsuit,orearningafinancialfortunethantherearein
havingababy,theyarewrong.Noneofthosemeasuresofcareer
successcancomparewiththethrill,satisfaction,andfunofhaving
andcaringforbabiesandwatchingthemrespondandgrowundera
mother'slovingcare.
Thejoysofmotherhoodreturnlateinlifewhengrandchildrenappear.
Mostfeministleaders,includingGloriaSteinem,GermaineGreer,
KateMillett,andSimonedeBeauvoirchosetobechildlessandwill
neverknowthethrillofbeing"bornagain"withgrandchildren.
209
AmeliaEarharthasbeenalongtimeheroineoffeministsbecauseshe
livedsuchanindependentandexcitinglife.Yetwhenhertruestory
wasdramatizedonnationaltelevisioninOctober1976,shewas
showncuddlinganotherwoman'sbaby—andwishingitwereher
own.
Oneofthemostsuccessfulwritersofthetwentiethcenturywas
TaylorCaldwell.WhenFamilyWeeklyaskedherifitdidn'tgiveher
solidsatisfactiontoknowthathernovelCaptainsandKingswasto
beseenasanine-hourtelevisionproduction,shereplied:"Thereisno
solidsatisfactioninanycareerforawomanlikemyself.Thereisno
home,notruefreedom,nohope,nojoy,noexpectationfortomorrow,
nocontentment.Iwouldrathercookamealforamanandbringhim
hisslippersandfeelmyselfintheprotectionofhisarmsthanhaveall
thecitationsandawardsandhonorsIhavereceivedworldwide,
includingtheRibbonoftheLegionofHonorandmypropertyandmy
bankaccounts.”
AnneMorrowLindberghspokeforthemajorityofwomenwhenshe
describedherownprioritiesinHourofGold,HourofLead:"The
sheerfactoffindingmyselflovedwasunbelievableandchangedmy
world,myfeelingsaboutlifeandmyself.Iwasgivenconfidence,
strength,andalmostanewcharacter.ThemanIwastomarry
believedinmeandwhatIcoulddo,andconsequently,IfoundIcould
domorethanIrealized,eveninthatmysteriousouterworldthat
fascinatedmebutseemedunattainable.Heopenedthedoorto'real
life.'...Thefirstmonthsofmotherhoodweretotallynormal,joyful,
andsatisfyingandIwouldhavebeencontenttostayhomeanddo
nothingelsebutcareformybaby.Thiswas'reallife'atitsmostbasic
level.”
Marriageandmotherhoodhavetheirtrialsandtribulations,butwhat
lifestyledoesn't?Ifyoulookuponyourhomeasacage,youwillfind
210
yourselfjustasimprisonedinanofficeorafactory.Theflightfrom
thehomeisaflightfromself,fromresponsibility,fromthenatureof
woman,inpursuitoffalsehopesandfadingfantasies.
Ifyoucomplainaboutservitudetoahusband,servitudetoabosswill
bemoreintolerable.Everyoneintheworldhasabossofsomekind.It
iseasierformostwomentoachieveaharmoniousworking
relationshipwithahusbandthanwithaforeman,supervisor,oroffice
manager.
ThatAmericanwomenhavealwaysbeenfortunatewasconfirmed
morethan150yearsagobythefamousFrenchcommentatorAlexis
de
Tocqueville:"AlthoughthewomenoftheUnitedStatesareconfined
withinthenarrowcircleofdomesticlife,andtheirsituationisinsome
respectsoneofextremedependence,Ihavenowhereseenwoman
occupyingaloftierposition;andifIwereasked,nowthatIam
drawingtothecloseofthiswork,inwhichIhavespokenofsomany
importantthingsdonebytheAmericans,towhatthesingular
prosperityandgrowingstrengthofthatpeopleoughtmainlytobe
attributed,Ishouldreply:tothesuperiorityoftheirwomen.”
1977
TheCinderellaComplex
ThepassingofPrincessGracewastheoccasionofhundredsofnews
storiesandfeatures,aswellasthepictureonthecoverofTime
magazine.Manyofthestories(intentionallyorunintentionally)
conveyedthesubliminalmessagethatherlifewas"thelastfairytale,"
thatherlovestorywasuniqueandcouldneverhappenagain.
ThereasonforthosecynicalundertoneswasthatPrincessGracewas
themodernpersonificationoftheCinderellafairytale,whichforyears
hasbeenadespisedtargetofthewomen'sliberationmovement.
PrincessGrace'sveryexistenceprovedthatanAmericanCinderella
211
canmarryherPrinceCharming,movetohispalaceonthehill,and
livehappilyeverafter.
Whenthewomen'sliberationmovementheldswayinthe1970s,one
ofthequirksofitsideologywasapassionatedebunkingofthe
Cinderellafairytale.Thatharmlesschildren'sstorybecameabete
noireofthewomen'sliberationmovement;itwaslabeledastereotype
ofwomen'soppressionwhichmustbecensoredoutofchildren's
books.
Feministideologuesinveighedagainstthe"myth"and"delusion"of
CinderellabecauseitencouragedlittlegirlstobelievethataPrince
Charmingcouldcomealongandthattheywouldlivehappilyever
after.Cinderellawasdecriedastheultimatein"sexist"childrearing.
Thepublicationofthe1981bookTheCinderellaComplexbyColette
Dowlingsentshockwavesthroughthewomen'sliberation
movement.Writtenbyafeminist,theauthorarguedregretfullythat
mostwomendohaveasecretdesiretodependonahusbandwhowill
supportanddefendhiswife.
OnedaywhileIwasinatelevisionstudio,ayoungwomanproducer
accostedmewiththequestion,"Mrs.Schlafly,doyoubelieveinthe
thesisofthebookCinderellaComplex}"Isaid,"Yes,Ithinkmost
womenwouldliketomarryamanwhowillsupportanddefendher."
Shereplied,"I'mafraidyou'reright.ButI'mtryingtoovercomethat
feeling.”
Sincetheyoungwomanwasinhertwentiesandnicelooking,Itold
hershedidn'treallyneedtotrytoovercomeherCinderellacomplex—
herPrinceCharmingjustmightcomealongsomeday.Herhearttold
herIwasright,butherliberatedmindrefusedtoacceptit.
Onethingissure.Ifyoumakeupyourmindthatyouwillneverfind
212
yourPrinceCharming,youwon't.Ifyoudecideinadvancethatitis
impossibletolivehappilyeverafter,youwon't.Butitallcanhappen
toyouifyoumakeupyourmindthatitcanhappen.Iknow—because
ithappenedtome.
IfoundmyPrinceCharminginasmalllawofficeinalittletownof
fortythousandpeopleindownstateIllinois,andlivedhappilyever
afteronthebluffsoftheMississippiRiver.Millionsofotherwomen
havefoundtheirPrinceCharmingsinevenlesslikelyplaces.They
havelivedhappilyeverafterbecausetheyworkedtomaketheir
marriagessucceed.
PrincessGracewastheglamorouspersonificationoftheCinderella
fairytalebecause(unlikesomeotherHollywood"queens")she
remainedtruetohermarriagevows.IneverunderstoodwhyGrace
KellywouldchooseEuropeanroyaltywhenshecouldhavehadafine
Americanmanwhocouldhavebuiltasplendidbusinessor
professionalcareer;butloveconquersall,andtoeachherown.
Thelessonisthathappy,enduringmarriagesdostillhappendespite
greatobstaclesofcircumstancesandliberationpropaganda.Other
womenarenotasbeautifulasGraceKelly,theirPrinceCharmings
arenotasrich,andtheirhomesdonothaveasmanyroomsasa
Monacopalace.Buttheirloveisjustasenduring,theirlivesas
fulfilling,andtheydolivehappily"untildeathdouspart.”
WeareindebtedtoGraceKellyforprovidingarolemodelwho
provedontheworldstagethatamodern,talentedwomancanfind
fulfillmentforeverasawifeandmotherinatraditionalfamily.
1982
WhereHaveAlltheMothersGone
Notsomanymothersareathomeintheafternoonanymore.Those
whoareathomeareusually"moms"tolatchkeychildren,too.
213
Confrontedwiththeprospectofgoinghometoanemptyhouse,
childrenwillusually,iftheycan,gravitatetothehomeofa
schoolmatewhosemotherisathome.
Indeed,so-calledexpertsarenowinstructinglatchkeychildrentodo
exactlythat.Inalatchkeycoursefornine-to-thirteen-year-olds,pupils
aregivenamultiple-choicequestion."Youarewalkinghomealone
fromschoolandyouthinkamaninacarisfollowingyou.What
wouldyoudo?(a)Standstillandseewhathedoes,(b)Walkquickly
homeandlockyourselfinthehouse,(c)Walktoaneighbor'shome
andstaythere,(d)Other."Thecorrectansweris(c),because"ifyou
gohomeandlockyourselfinthehouse,youcouldbefollowed,and
theremightnotbeanyonetheretohelpyou.”
BrendaHunter,authorofWhereHaveAllTheMothersGone?,
eloquentlydescribedherlifeasalatchkeychild."Nomatterhow
sunnytheatmosphereoutside,anemptyhouseisalwayscoldand
darkand
lonely.Ialwaysmadeacheckunderthebedandlookedintheclosets
tomakesurethatnoburglarhadenteredourhome.”
Theliberatedlifestylesthatencouragewivesandmotherstodotheir
ownthinghaveleftchildrentobearburdensofloneliness,depression,
andtheemptyhome.Latchkeychildrenarecryingoutfortheloveof
momswhowillsubordinatetheirowncareerambitionsanddesirefor
materialthingstothewell-beingoftheirchildren.
TheU.S.CensusBureaupublishedsomeinterestingfiguresthatcast
lightonchangingsocioeconomictrendsandprovideevidencethat
millionsofmothersstillaccordahigherprioritytogivingmothercare
totheirchildrenthantomaterialthings.Aspecialreportcalled
"Earningsin1981ofMarried-CoupleFamilies"providesstatisticson
theintactfamilywhereahusbandandwifearelivingtogether,which
isthebigmajorityoftheAmericanpeople.Thereare49.6million
214
marriedcouples(ninety-ninemillionAmericans).Thestudydidnot
coverthesituationofthesingle-parentfamily.
Consideringonlythe42.2millionmarriedcoupleswhereatleastone
spouseisemployed,theCensusBureaufiguresshowavast
differenceinstandardoflivingbetweenone-paycheckfamilies
(husband-breadwinnerandwife-homemaker)andtwo-paycheck
families.Inthefourteenmilliontraditionalfamiliesinwhichthe
husbandisemployedbutthewifeisnot,theaverageearningsare
$22,300.
Butinthe26.3millionfamilieswhereboththehusbandandwifeare
inthepaidlaborforce,theaverageearningsare$28,560,andthat
figureshootsupto$34,560ifbothspousesareemployedfull-time.
Thesefiguresshowthatmarriedcoupleswherethewifeisafull-time
home-makerarelivingatasignificantlylowerincomelevel.The
disparityinstandardoflivingisprobablyevengreaterthanthese
figuresindicate,sincefull-timehomemakersoftenhavemorechildren
thanwomenwhoareinthelaborforce.
Thenationalmediaandfeministspokespersonshaveputforthan
incessantdrumbeattopersuadeAmericansthat,inthisdayandage,
mothers"mustwork"andthatthegovernment"should"facilitatethat
lifestylebyprovidingdaycarefacilities.TheCensusBureaureport
shows,however,thatfourteenmillionmothershaverejected,that
notionandchosenthetraditionalroleofmotherhoodeventhoughit
meanslivingatalowerincomelevel.
Millionsofwivestodayareeconomizingandstretchingeverydollar
inordertofeedandclothetheirfamiliesonthehusband'ssingle
incomesothattheirchildrencanhavesomethingmorepreciousthan
moneycanbuy:theemotionalsecurityofmomathome.That'sthe
kindofdedicationtotheroleofmotherhoodthatshouldbe
encouraged,notdiscouraged,byourtaxlawsandsociallegislation.
215
Yet,thefederalincometaxlawgivespreferentialtreatment
amountingtoseveralthousanddollarsayeartothewifewhochooses
thepaidjobinsteadoftheroleoffull-timemother.That'swhythefirst
stepinaddressingtheproblemsoflatchkeychildrenistogivethefulltimewifeequalityintheincometaxlawwiththewifeinthepaidlabor
force.
1985
BigBrotherWantstobeBigMama
"Earlychildhoodeducation"isaphrasefrequentlyheardatstate
capitalsandeducationseminars.Inthefaceofmountingpublic,
private,andemployerdismayatthefailureofpublicelementary
schoolstoteachchildrentheskillsandknowledgenecessaryto
functioninamodernsociety,theeducationbureaucracyisresponding
withthecollectivecall,"Giveusyourchildrenatanevenearlierage.”
"Early"meansschoolforthree-andfour-year-olds.Theplanisto
makeitvoluntarytodaybutcompulsorytomorrow;startintheghetto,
thenextendit.OnebillintroducedintheIllinoislegislatureevencalled
forschoolstotakechildren"frombirthtokindergarten.”
"Earlychildhoodeducation"wasquietlyinsertedinthefineprintof
manycomprehensive"educationreform"packagesconsideredin
1985,andtheseproposalsarestillverymuchalive.Theeducation
bureaucracywantstogetlegislationinplacebeforetheAmerican
peoplerealizewhatishappening,especiallysincethereisnoevidence
tosupportthisexpensiveandrevolutionaryplanofaction.
Absolutelynoreplicableevidenceshowsthatputtingchildrenin
schoolatanearlieragemakesthembrighter,orbetterabletoachieve
academically,orbetterabletosocializepositivelywiththeirpeersas
theymovealonginschool.Theevidenceindicatesthatitsaddlestots
withburnout,stress,andfrustrationsthatinhibitlaterlearning.
216
TheAmericanAcademyofPediatricianshasexpressedconcern
aboutthedramaticincreaseof"stress-related"symptomsnow
apparentinchildrenintheprimarygrades.Someschoolshaveputin
"stress"coursesforfirstandsecondgraders!
TuftsUniversitylearningpsychologistDavidElkindwarnsthatearly
formalschoolingis"burningout"ourchildren.Universityof
California'sWilliamRohwerurgesthatformalschoolingwaituntil
muchlater.Afterextensiveresearch,Dr.Rohwerconcluded,"Allof
thelearningnecessaryforsuccessinhighschoolcanbeaccomplished
inonlytwoorthreeyearsofformalskillstudy.”
Allthelearningthattakesplaceinthefirstgradeconsumesa
maximumoftwohoursperday.Whatdothechildrendotherestof
thedayinschool?Theylearnthebadhabitsoftheirpeersandcatch
theirgerms.Somerecentfindingsshowthatchildrenwhoattend
preschoolarefifteentimesmorelikelytobesickaschildrenathome,
andfifteentimesmorelikelytogetinvolvedinnegative,aggressive
acts.
Enormousevidenceshowsthatchildrenwhospendmoretimewith
theirpeersthanwiththeirparentsbeforethefifthorsixthgradewill
becomepeerdependent.Theylearntoknuckleundertotherivalry,
ridicule,habits,manners,andvaluesoftheirclassmates.Theyare
negativelysocializedandbecomecaptivesofsocialandmoraltrends.
Dr.RaymondMoore,nationallyknownadvocateofnotputting
childreninschoolbeforeageeight,explainswhatoftenhappenstoan
averagechildputinschooltooearly:(a)uncertaintyasheleavesthe
familynestforalesssecureenvironment,(b)puzzlementatthenew
pressuresandrestrictionsoftheclassroom,(c)frustrationbecausehis
brain'slearningtoolscannothandlethescheduled,formallessonsand
pressures,(d)nervousness,jitters,andhyperactivitythatarecaused
217
byfrustration,(e)failure,and(f)delinquency.
Theadverseeffectisfarworseontheboysthanthegirls.The
"system"requiresboystoenterschoolatthesameageasgirls,even
thoughtheymaturelater.Theentryofboysintokindergartenandfirst
gradeatthesameageasgirlsmeansthatmanytimesmoreboysthan
girlswillfailorbecomehyperactiveordelinquent.InAmericanhigh
schoolstoday,thereareeightboysforeverygirlinclassesforthe
emotionallyimpaired,andthirteenboysforeachgirlinremedial
learninggroups.
Earlychildhoodeducationwouldvastlyincreasetheharmtomost
childrenandgivetheboysanearlyinsurmountabledisadvantage.
WashingtonstatesenatorSamGuess,amiller,providesananalogy
appropriatetoearlychildhoodeducation:"Whenyougrindgreen
grain,youdon'tgetflour.Yougetgum.”
1986
ALongLeapintotheDark
BeforeJimmyCarterchosehisvicepresidentin1976,Walter
MondalewasbestknownoutsideofhisownstateofMinnesotaas
co-authorofthe1971Mondale-BrademasChildDevelopmentBill.
Thatbillwouldhavecreateda$2billionnetworkoffederaldaycare
institutionsfor"comprehensivechilddevelopment,"notonly
custodial,purposes.
SenatorWalterMondale(D-MN)andRepresentativeJohnBrademas
(D-IN)toldtheirconstituentsthatthisbillwasbasedonthe
recommen
dationofthe1970WhiteHouseConferenceonChildrenthat
"federallysupportedpubliceducationbemadeavailableforchildrenat
agethree."Theconferenceexplainedthat"Daycareisapowerful
institution.Adaycareprogramthatministerstoachildfromsix
monthstosixyearsofagehasover8,000hourstoteachhimvalues,
218
fears,beliefs,andbehaviors.”
TheMondale-BrademasbillpassedCongressunderpressurefrom
liberalsandfeminists,butwasvetoedbyPresidentRichardNixon.In
acourageousvetomessage,hecalledita"radicalpieceoflegislation,"
"alongleapintothedark,"andsaiditwould"leadtowardalteringthe
familyrelationship."Hesaid,"Goodpublicpolicyrequiresthatwe
enhanceratherthandiminishbothparentalauthorityandparental
involvementwithchildren—particularlyinthosedecisiveyearswhen
socialattitudesandaconscienceareformed,andreligiousandmoral
principlesarefirstinculcated.”
In1975,MondaleandBrademastriedagaintogetthefederal
governmenttotakeoverthetaskofraisingchildren.TheirChildand
FamilyServicesBillof1975wouldhavecreatedanewphilosophyof
childrearing.Thebillstatedthat"itisessential"thatchildrearingbe
donebya"partnership"offederal,stateandlocalgovernments,
parents,andcommunityagencies.
TheChildandFamilyServicesBillredefined"parent"as"anyperson
whohasprimaryday-to-dayresponsibilityforanychild.”That
languagewouldhavetransferredtherightsoffathersandmothersto
federalbureaucrats,socialworkers,orteacherswhohavesupervision
overthechildrenputintheircare.
TheNewYorkTimesreportedthatthe1975ChildandFamily
ServicesBillwas"consideredbyeducationalgroupstobethe
openingwedgeintheirattempttoestablishauniversaleducation
programbeginningwith3-year-olds."Thesamenewsreport
explainedthatthisprogramwassupportedbyboththeNational
EducationAssociation(NEA)andtheAmericanFederationof
Teachers(AFT)as"thefirststeptoward
openingthenation'spublicschoolstomillionsofadditionalchildren."
TheTimesnewsaccount,writtenontheoccasionofanationalAFT
219
conventioninHonolulu,explainedthattheplacementofthree-and
four-year-oldchildreninpublicschools"isviewednotonlyasa
vehicletohelpteachersinashrinkingjobmarket,butalso[because]a
substantialportionofintelligenceispermanentlyshapedbeforeachild
enterskindergarten.”
Sotherearetworeasonspowerfulforceswanttopushlittlechildren
intogovernmentinstitutionsattheageofthreeandmakethe
governmenta"partner"inraisingchildren:(a)tomoldthe"values,
fears,beliefs,andbehaviors"ofthechildren,and(b)tofindjobsfor
unemployedteachers.
This1975billwaskilledbyatremendousuproaratthegrassroots
andanavalancheofletterstoCongress.Theresentmentagainstthe
ChildandFamilyServicesBilllingereduntil1980,whenMondale
wasdefeatedinhisbidforreelectionasvicepresidentandBrademas
wasdefeatedinhisbidforreelectiontoCongress.
Areincarnationofthissamediscreditedproposal,calledtheSchool
FacilitiesChildCareAct,passedtheHouseinMay1984withonlya
handfulofcongressmenonthefloor.ThesponsorwasRepresentative
GeraldineFerraro(D-NY),alongwithotherliberalsincludingPatricia
Schroeder(D-CO).
TheFerrarobillwouldhaveauthorized$30millionperyearforthree
yearstohelpcommunitygroups,localgovernmentagencies,and
educatorssetupbefore-andafter-schoolchild-careprograms,
preferablyinthepublicschools.MondaleandFerrarowerehoping
thatpublicsentimenthadchangedby1984,thatAmericanswould
moreeasilyacceptthenotionthatchildcareisnotanindividualora
familyproblemorresponsibility,butthatchildrenareacollective
responsibilitytobeassumedbythefederalgovernment.Theywere
alsohopingthattheirfederalgoalcouldberealizedbyplayingonthe
economicsoftheincreasingpercentageofmothersinthelaborforce
andonpubliccon-
220
cernabouttheproblemcalled"latchkeychildren."Fortunately,the
Mondale-Brademas-Ferraroplansfailed.Mostparentswanttobe
morethanmerepart-timecustodiansoftheirownchildrenina
"partnership"withthegovernment.
Thedemandforthegovernmenttowarehousechildrenisn'tgoing
away.Largenumbersofwomenhavechangedtheirlifestyleand
movedintothepaidlaborforce,andbabiesareinconvenienttojob
schedules.Butbabieshavestubbornlyrefusedtochangetheirlifestyle
andadapttoanemptyhouse.Theyarejustasdemandingasbabies
everwere.
Whenmotherslookaboutforsomeoneelsetofulfillthosedemands,
theyfindthatdaycareservicesboughtformoneyareveryexpensive.
Thechiefreasonfortheenormousexpenseisthat,whereasateacher
ofgrade-schoolerscanhandleaclassoftwenty-fivechildren,acare
providerforpreschoolerscaneffectivelyhandleonlythreechildrenon
theaverage,andonlytwoiftheyareinfants.
Employedmothersdon'twanttopaythehighcostofemploying
otherpersonstoprovidethecarethatthechildrenarenotgettingat
home.Themotherswantitfreeoratleastheavilysubsidized.They
wanttherealcostofdaycaretobebornebythetaxpayersortheir
fellowemployees.
Nothingcouldbemoreunjust.Childrenarethemoralandfinancial
responsibilityoftheirparents.Itisgrievouslyunfairtoimposeatax
burdenonthosewhofulfillthisresponsibilityinordertosubsidize
thosewhohavechosenalifestylethatshiftsthisresponsibilityto
someoneelse.Thismeanstakingfromlower-incometraditional
familieswhocarefortheirownchildrenandgivingtohigherincome
two-earnercoupleswhodon'tcarefortheirownchildren.
Societysimplyhasnotinventedabetterwayofraisingchildrenthan
221
thetraditionalfamilywithafather-breadwinnerandamother-homemaker.Thatdivisionoflaboriscostefficient,theenvironmentis
healthy,andthechildrenthriveonthe"objectconstancy"ofthe
mother.
1986
TheTwo-ClassAmericanSociety
Isthetraditionalfamilyananachronisminthe1980s?Thatseemsto
betheassumptionoftelevisionandradiotalkshows,lecture
platforms,lifestylesectionsofmetropolitannewspapers,magazines,
thetheaterandmovies,publicopinionsurveys,andallthechannels
thatreportsocio-culturaltrends.Thisdrearymessageisbeamedatthe
public,overtlyandsubliminally,inathousandwayseveryweek.
Theeconomicsideofthismessageisthatallwiveswillsoonbeout
ofthehomeandinthepaidlaborforceandthatthistrendisnotonly
aneconomicnecessitybutasocialgood.Weareincessantlytoldthata
single-earnercouplecannotsupportafamily,thatmothers"haveto
work"inordertosupporttheirfamilies,andthatthewifeinthehome
isasextinctasthedodo.
Whatispresumptuouslycalled"thewomen'smovement"has
supposedly"liberated"womenfromthedrudgeryofhouseworkand
givenwomennewopportunitiesforcareersinthepaidlaborforce,
especiallyinnon-traditional(formerlyall-male)occupations(from
astronauttocoalminer).
Thesocialsideofthismessageisthatsexualliberationhas
permanentlychangedmoralattitudes,madeeverysexualactivity
sociallyrespectable,andredefinedthefamilytoincludeanygroupof
personslivingtogetherevenifnotrelatedbyblood,marriage,or
adoption."Alternatelifestyles"arenowsupposedlyacceptable,
includingserialmarriage(frequentchangingofpartnersthrough
multipledivorces),cohabitationwithoutmarriage,andhomosexual
222
andlesbiancouples.Premaritalsexamongteenagersisassertedtobe
apermanentfactoflife.Wearenotsupposedtobejudgmentalabout
thisbutinsteadshouldfreeitfromguiltandpregnancybymaking
contraceptivesandabortionsavailablewithoutparentalknowledgeor
consent.
Everybody,wearetold,willprobablybedivorcedatsometimein
life."Singleparenthood"isthemodernstylefamily.Divorceon
demandmustbeavailabletoanyspousewithouttheconsentofthe
other.Abortionondemandshouldbeavailabletoanywomanwithout
theconsentofherspouse(orparent,ifaminor).
Taxpayersaresupposedtopaythefinancialcostsofallthese
policies,includingdaycareformotherswhoprefertobeinthepaid
laborforce,separatehousingandgenerousmoneypaymentsto
teenagerswhohaveillegitimatebabies,tax-paidabortions,anda
varietyofcostlybenefitstodivorcedwiveswhosehusbandshave
beenallowedtoevadetheirsupportobligations.
Wehavethefreedomtochooseourownvaluesandgoals.Butthe
frequencyandintensity(oftencombinedwithridiculeandsarcasm)
withwhichmediaspokespersonstrytothrusttheseanti-family
attitudesdownourthroatsindicatetheiremotionaldemandforsocial
acceptanceofthesechangesinvalues.Theyseemdeterminedtomake
thosewholivebytraditionalmoralstandardsfeeloutofstepwiththe
times.Theseanti-familyattitudeshaveestablishedthemselvesas
dominantinthefantasyworldofcommunications,buttheyhavenot
succeededintherealworld.
ThemajorityofAmericansstillconsidermarriagealifetime
commitment,insicknessandinhealth,forricherandforpoorer.They
lookuponmarriageasthebeginningofanewfamilyinwhich
childrenwillbeartheirfather'snameandareentitledtofaithful
nurturingbytheirmother.Arecentsurveyshowsthatamongcouples
223
whomarryinchurchandcontinuetoattendchurchregularly,the
divorcerateisonlyoneinfifty.
Americahasbecomeatwo-classsociety.Theclassdivisionhas
nothingwhatsoevertodowithlevelofincomeoreducationorjob
statusortalentorsexorraceorcolororadvantageofbirth.Ithas
everythingtodowithwhetherornotyouhaveacommitment(1)to
moral
values(respectforGod,churchorsynagogue,andtheTen
Commandments),(2)tofamilyvalues(maritalfidelity,mothercareof
children,andparentalrightsineducation),and(3)totheworkethic
(thrift,savings,andtherighttoenjoythefruitsofone'slaborand
improveone'seconomiclotinlife).
TheAmericanswhosharethesetraditionalcommitmentshavelittle
voiceinthechannelsofcommunicationtoday.ButtheseAmericans
exist,andthemorethemediaclaimtheyareobsolete,themorethe
medialosecredibility.
1986
Understanding<^Men
Whycan'tthewifepursueacareerandthehusbandtakecareofthe
houseandbabies?ThatisoneofthequestionsIammostfrequently
askedbyyoungwomenwhenIvisitcollegecampuses.Mystock
answerneverpleasesthem."Youdon'thavetogetmypermission,"I
reply."Allyouneedtodoistofindayoungmanwhowantsthatkind
ofmarriage.Myobservationoflifeisthatveryfewmenarewillingto
playthatrole.”
Thosewhoseekthesubstantiveanswertothatquestion,orthe
answertothequestionofwhysomanycollegewomenasksucha
sillyquestion,shouldreadthebookcalledMenandMarriageby
GeorgeGilder,authorofthebest-sellingdefenseofprivateenterprise
calledWealthandPoverty.Gilder'sbookalsoprovidesanswerstothe
224
questionIammostoftenaskedbycollegemen."Why,whenyoung
womenseemtotallybentonacareerandindependencefrommen,is
'money...agoodjob...apromisingcareer'stillthefirstqualitythey
lookforinamantheymightwanttomarry?"Youngwomensaythey
wantmentobe"sensitive"and"compassionate"andshareinthe
diapersanddishes,butmostofalltheywantahusbandtohavea
goodincome.AllthePhil
Donahue-attributeshecanmusterwillnotcompensateforfailingto
filltheroleofprovider.
MenandMarriageisunique;nootherbookaddressessuch
fundamentalquestionsaswhymenmarryandwhysocietydepends
onthenaturalanddifferentrolesofmenandwomen—inmarriage,in
thefamily,andinsociety.Forthepasttwodecades,thefadof
feminismhastaughtthefalsehoodthatmenandwomen,husbands
andwives,fathersandmothers,areinterchangeable.Gilderproves,
withawealthofsociologicaldetail,thatthisissomuchnonsense.
Menandwomenhavedifferentnatures,differentpurposes,and
differentfunctions.Civilizationdependsonunderstandingand
respectingthosedifferences.
Gilder'sbookisenlivenedwithacoupleofallegories.Oneexplains
whymenmarry—andwhatoftenhappenstothem,andtosociety,
whentheydon't.Anotherexplainswhythebiggestprofiteerof
women'sliberationisthesuccessfulmiddle-agedmanwhonowcan,
withoutshame,puthisfaithfulwifeouttopastureandenjoythe
favorsofanewwifeinheryouthful,fertileyears.Thewomen's
liberationmovementhashadaprofoundeffectonoursociety.Ithas
producedahighdivorcerate,twentymillionabortions,much
androgynousmischief,andsocialacceptanceofpromiscuityandnonmaritallifestylesforwomenandmen.
TheU.S.CensusBureaureportedthisyearthat7,500,000fathers
havevanished.That'sadisasterfarinexcessofallthebattledeathsin
225
WorldWar11(292,131),intheKoreanWar(33,629),andinthe
VietnamWar(47,318)combined.One-fourthofAmericanfamilies
withchildrenarehorriblydisadvantagedbecausetheyhavenofather
inthehome.Noamountoftaxpayers'moneycanevercompensatefor
thispersonalandsocietaltragedy.Didaforeignenemystealintoour
citiesatnightandslaughterthefathers?No,women'sliberationand
sexualliberationstoleintothemindsandheartsofagenerationand
"liberated"millionsofmenandwomenfrommarriageandits
responsibilities.
Women'sliberationtaughtyoungwomentoseekfulfillmentinpaid
employmentinsteadofaswivesandmothers.Sexualliberationtaught
menandwomentoseektemporarypleasuresinsteadofa
monogamous,lifetimecommitment.Liberationadvocatesforgotto
warnwhatanawfulpricewouldbepaidbythechildren.
MenandMarriageexplainsthesuccessfulrelationshipbetweena
manandawoman,thatwonderfulnexusofmysteryandintimacy,of
romanceandpracticality.MenandMarriageshowswhytraditional
marriageisessentialtoastablesociety.Thenexttimepeoplesuggest
thatitisimportantforyoungpeopletobetaughtthefactsoflife,tell
themtolearnthefactsoflifeastaughtsopowerfullyinGeorge
Gilder'sbook.It'smustreadingespeciallyforyoungwomenbecause
itexplainswhymenarethewaytheyare.
1986
Work,£rk,£essIncome
Oneofthesocialphenomenaofthelastgenerationisthemovementof
wivesandmothersfromthehomeintothepaidlaborforce.Whena
wifeleavesthehometotakepaidemployment,thisappearsto
producemoretake-homepayforthefamily.Butresearchshowsthat,
inthecurrentgenerationoftwo-earnercoupleswithchildren,both
spousestogethernowhavelessrealincomethantheirfathershadasa
singlewage-earner(whentheirmotherswerefull-time
226
homemakers).Thecurrentgenerationofparentsisworkinglonger
hoursforlessrealincomeandmuchlessfamilylifethantheirparents
had.
DespitethefactthattheUnitedStateshasbeenexperiencinggrowth
inalleconomicindicatorsforthelastthreeyears,ananalysisofthe
economicstatusofthebabyboomersbyPhillipLongman,research
directorforAmericansforGenerationalEquity,basedonCensus
Bureaustatistics,producessomedisturbingconclusions.Theyarethe
firstgenerationinhistorynottodobetterthantheirparents.Thebaby
boomersaretheseventy-eightmillionAmericanswhowereborn
between1946and1964,aperiodwhentheU.S.birthrateshotup
sharply.
Somedemographersandstatisticianslookupon1973asthe
watershedyearwhentrendschangedfortheeconomicstatusofmen.
That'swhenmen'sincomebegantodecline.Let'scomparethe
incomesofthebabyboomersandtheirparents.Priorto1973,young
mencouldexpectbothpromotionsandsharpincreasesintheir
income.Thus,between1949and1959,theaverageincomeofmen
agetwenty-fivetothirty-five(thefathersofthebabyboomers)rose
118percent(from$10,800to$23,500).Between1959and1969,
menagetwenty-fivetothirty-fivesawtheiraverageincomerise108
percent(from$13,900to$28,900).
Theyear1973markedadramaticchange.From1973to1984(eleven
years),theaverageincomeofmenbetweenagetwenty-fiveandthirtyfive(thebabyboomers)roseonly16percent(from$21,200to
$24,600).Theseincomesarein1984dollars,adjustedforinflation.
Nowlet'slookatwhathappenedtomenintheagegroupfortyto
fifty.Before1973,meninthisagegrouphadalreadyreceivedtheir
majorcareerpromotionsbutstillcouldexpecttoseetheirearnings
risesignificantly.Thus,between1949and1959,theaverageincome
227
ofmenagefortytofifty(thefathersofthebabyboomers)rose34
percent.Between1959and1969,theaverageincomeofmenage
fortytofiftyrose29percent.Again,1973wasthechangeoveryear.
From1973to1984(elevenyears),theaverageincomeofmenage40
to50(thebabyboomers)fell14percent(from$28,100to$24,100).
Whyarethebabyboomers,nowtwenty-onetofortyyearsold,
actuallylosingground?Itisacombinationofanumberoffactors,
especiallytheinflationthatstartedwiththe1973oilembargoand
reacheddoubledigitsunderJimmyCarterandthesteepincreasein
taxesthatresultedfrombracketcreepandthedoublingofSocial
Securitytaxes.Athirdmajorfactorwasthesuddenexpansionofthe
U.S.laborforce,whichexceededthedemandforworkersandmadeit
unnecessarytoofferhigherwages.Thislargelaborsupplywas
createdbothbythelarge
numberofbabyboomersandbythefloodingofmillionsofwomen
andmillionsofimmigrantsintothejobmarket.
Theyear1973alsomarkedaturningpointinrealfamilyincome.It
fellfromahighof$28,167m:973to$26,433m1984.Whentheir
incomedeclined,thebabyboomersreactedinvariousways.They
postponedmarriage,theyhadfewerchildren,andtheyhadthemlater.
Mostimportant,millionsofwivesmovedintothelaborforce,which
iswhyrealfamilyincomedidn'tdeclineevenfurtherthanitdid.
Meanwhile,costsofnecessitiesweregoingupsharply.Energycosts
forhomefuelandforautomobilesrosemorethan50percent.The
biggestpriceincreasewasinhousing.In1949,athirty-year-oldman
spentonly14percentofhismonthlyincomeonhousepayments.But
in1983,athirty-year-oldmanspent44percentofhismonthly
earningsforhousepayments.In1974theEqualCreditOpportunity
Actwentintoeffectandforcedbankstousetheincomeofboth
spousesindeterminingtheirmonthlymortgagepayments(which,in
turn,determinesthepriceofthehousetheycanbuy).Thiscreatedthe
228
fictionthattwiceasmuchmoneywasavailableforthepurchaseof
houses,andpricesroserapidlybecausepeoplecouldgetthecreditto
buymoreexpensivehomes.Manyyoungcouplesfeeltheymusthave
twoincomesinordertomakeit.Buttheirsituationisevenworsethan
theythinkbecausetheircombinedtake-homepayislikelytobeless
thantheirfathersearnedaloneatasimilarage.
1986
What(governmentShouldDofor(^Mothers
Dowebelievethefederalgovernmentshouldbeconcernedaboutthe
financialbindthatAmericansareintodaywhenitcomestothecosts
ofhavingandraisingchildren?Youbetwedo.WebelievethatCon
gresshasanobligation,firstofall,toeliminatethecurrent
discriminationthatexistsagainstsomekindsofchildrenandtheir
mothersandinfavorofotherkindsofchildrenandtheirmothers.
Whiledefactodiscriminationagainstvariousgroupsstillexists,in
someareasandagainstsomeminorities,dejurediscrimination
(specifiedinthelaw)hasbeenprettymucheliminated.When
challenged,legaldiscriminationonthebasisofrace,creed,color,or
sexcanhardlyeverstandupincourt,andit'shardtofindalawmaker
atthecongressionalorstatelevelwhohasthetemeritytoproposea
discriminatorybill.
ThereisoneclassofAmericans,however,thatstillisopenlyand
massivelydiscriminatedagainst.ThisclassofAmericansismadeup
ofthesixteenmillionfull-timehomemakers.Thediscriminationis
mostblatantintheincometaxlaw.Nobodyreallydefendsthe
discriminatoryprovisions.Publicofficialsandmediaspokesmen
evadetheissuebynottalkingaboutit.
Theincometaxlawdiscriminatesagainstthemotherswhotakecare
oftheirownchildrenandinfavorofthemotherswhopaysomeone
elsetotakecareoftheirchildren.It'ssooutrageousthatonewonders
229
howthelawmakershadthenervetopasssomethingsounfair.
Youcanseeitforyourselfonline41ofthe1986incometaxreturn
Form1040,andonattachmentForm2441.Ifyoupaysomeoneelse
totakecareofyourchildrenunderagefifteen,youcanreduceyour
incometaxesupto$720forthefirstchildandupto$1,440fortwoor
morechildren.Butthemotherwhocaresforherownchildren?Tough
forher,sheisdeniedthesetaxcredits.
Howcouldthisbewrittenintofederallawwithoutabigpublicpolicy
debate?Oneexplanationmightbethattwo-earnercouples,havingan
averageof$11,000ayearmorefamilyincometospendthanthe
traditionalbreadwinner-homemakercouples,aremoreaggressivein
demandingtaxreductionsandpreferentialtreatment,whilethemother
whoisnotemployedislessabletogopublicaboutherneeds.
Anotherexplanationmightbethatthesocialservicebureaucracy
lobbiedforthese
changesinordertocreateabiggerdemandforgovernment-financed
daycareservices.
Onewaytoremedythisdiscriminationisto"universalize"thechildcarecredit,thatis,makeituniversallyavailabletoallchildren
regardlessofthelifestyleoftheirmothers.Thiscouldbedonefairly
andefficientlyat$500perchildforthenineteenmillionchildren
underagesix.Nowwecanheartheargument,"Butthatistoo
costly!"Toocostly?Discriminationoughttohavenoprice.Whenit
comestotaxes,fairnessisfarmoreimportantthancost.
Analternateremedyforthisdiscriminationwouldbetotradeoffthe
child-carecreditfora$1,000increaseinthetaxexemptionforall
children.Wecouldincreaseitfrom$2,000to$3,000.Ifthecost
argumentisraisedagain,theincreasedexemptioncouldbelimitedto
childrenunderagefifteen,orevenunderagesix.Actually,the
children'staxexemptionoughttobe$5,000ifachildweretobe
230
worthasmuchintheincometaxsystemtodayasachildwasworth
thirty-fiveyearsago.
Anotherprovisionoftheincometaxlawthatdiscriminatesagainst
homemakersistheIndividualRetirementAccount(IRA).Checkitfor
yourselfonline26ofForm1040.Ifbothhusbandandwifeare
employed,theycanputatotalof$4,000peryearintoIRAaccounts.
Butifthewifeisafull-timehomemaker(whomInternalRevenue
falselycallsa"non-workingspouse"),thecouplecanputatotalof
only$2,250intoIRAaccounts,whichisadiscriminationof$1,750
peryearplusalltheincometheIRAproducesfortherestoftheir
lives.
Likeanyemployedmanorwoman,thefull-timehomemakerwill
growoldandneedfundsinhersenioryears.Whyisthehomemaker
deniedanequalopportunitytosavetax-freefundsforretirementin
IRAS?
1987
Pornography'sVictims
Ifpersonsinapublicplaceengageinsexualacts,ortakeoffalltheir
clothes,orrelievethemselves,theywillbearrested—andshouldbe
arrested.Theymaybeinviolationofseverallaws;attheveryleast,
theywouldbeapublicnuisance.Thoseactsmaybealllegaland
properinprivate,butwedonotpermittheminpublic.
Ifpersonsinapublicorprivateplacecommitrape,assault,orbattery,
theywillbearrested—andshouldbearrested.Rapes,whippings,
beatings,andunwantedtouchingofanother'sbodyareagainstthe
law,andsocietywillandshouldpunishtheoffender.
Why,then,isitnotlikewiseagainstthelawtoshowapictureof
theseacts?Dotheybecomesociallyacceptablejustbecausetheyare
presentedonpaperorfilm?
231
ThosewhoansweryestothosequestionsinvoketheFirst
Amendmenttoclothetheirillegalacts.Theycry"censorship"to
intimidateanyonewhowantstostoptheirpublicdisplayof,and
commercialprofitingfrom,theseillegalacts.
Nowaddanotherelementtothislatterquestion.Supposeallthe
personswhowerethetargetoftheseillegalactswereblacks,orJews,
orNativeAmericans,orchildren.Theentirearrayofcivilrights
legislationandlitigationdevelopedinthelasttwenty-fiveyearswould
moveintomercilessaction.Ourprevailingsocialmoreswouldfind
suchrecordingsonpaperorfilmsociallyunacceptable.Publishers,
periodicals,entertainmenthouses,andretailestablishmentswouldnot
riskreleasingwrittenorfilmedpresentationsthatsuggestenjoyment
ofviolentracediscrimination,evenifthecryof"censorship"were
raised,whichitwouldnotbe.
Why,then,aretheseactsnotlikewiseagainstthelawwhenthegroup
targetedforrape,assault,battering,degradation,humiliation,orother
abuseiswomen?Canthesethingsbesociallyacceptablejustbecause
womenarethevictims?Arethecivillibertiesoftheabusersranked
higherthanthecivilrightsoftheabused?
Americahasbeenmovingrelentlesslytocleanupthequalityofour
airandwater.Nomatterhowlegalorproperornecessaryyour
business,prevailingsocialmoresdictatethatyoumaynotpollutethe
airwebreatheorthewaterwedrink.Thepolluterissqueezed
betweenlegalactionontheonehandandsocialcondemnationonthe
other.Inmanycases,notablythepollutionthatcomesfrom
bituminouscoalsmokebelchedbyindustryandthetobaccosmoke
emittedbysmokers,thesocialcondemnationprecededthelegal
restrictions.
Why,then,ispollutionofourmindsbypicturesofviolenceand
232
perversionsnotlikewiseagainstlawsandsocialmores?Thosewho
defendsuchpollutioncry"censorship"atthemeresuggestionthat
societymaytrytoprotectitself,itsfamilies,anditschildrenfrom
mentalandmoralpollutionanddestructive,antisocialbehavior.
Thosewhocry"censorship"arethe$8billion-a-yearpornography
industry,plusallthosewhoaremakingmoneyoutofanyoftheacts
listedabove.Thisincludesthemedia(especiallytelevisionnetworks,
cablecompanies,andmetropolitannewspapersthatrunmovieads),
theentertainmentindustry,theabortionclinics,theorganizations
financedbydonationsorfeesfrompornographers(suchasthe
AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion),andtheimmensearrayofsocial
serviceproviderswhosecareersareadvancedbyincreasingthe
numbersofpersonswithbrokenlives.
Pornographyproducestremendouslyhighprofits.Thepersonwho
goesintothepornographybusinessmayreceiveahigherreturnonhis
moneythanonalmostanyotherinvestment.Retailersusuallymakea
highermarginonpornographicmaterialsthanonanyother
merchandisetheysell.Pornographygeneratesitsownmoneyto
financeitsownadvertising,itsownpublicrelationscampaign,andits
ownpaidagentstopackagetheirperversionsinthecloakoftheFirst
Amendment,con
ductingsmearcampaignsagainstthosewhoopposethem,suchas
falselycallingthem"censors.”
WhentheAttorneyGeneral'sCommissiononPornographyissuedits
reportinmid-1986,itwasgreetedbyanavalancheofpressattacks
crying"censorship"and"bookbanning"andsuggestionsthatthe
reportwouldinterferewiththeFirstAmendmentandour"rightto
read."Suchclicheswerepartofacleveradvertisingcampaign
orchestratedbythepornographers.
GrayandCompany,thelargestpublicaffairsfirminWashington,
233
D.C.,receivedalucrativeaccountonthebasisofasix-pagecontract
offeredtothepornographers'tradeassociation.TheGrayletterspelled
outtwoprincipalstrategiesforagiganticadvertisingcampaign
estimatedtocost$900,000.Firstwasanattempt"toconvincethe
Americanpeoplethatcampaignstobancertainbooks,magazines,
newspapers,movies,televisionshows,speechesandperformances
threateneveryone'sfreedom."TheGraylettersetforthplanstotryto
"discredittheCommissiononPornography"byusingnewlycreated
"front"groupsundersuchdeceptivetitlesas"AmericansfortheRight
toRead"and"TheFirstAmendmentCoalition.”
Second,GrayandCompany'sadvertisingstrategycalledfor
repeating,overandoveragain,theclaimthattheoppositionto
pornographycomesonlyfrom"agroupofreligiousextremistswhose
tacticsandgoalsareclearlynotrepresentativeofmainstream
America"andthatthesereligious"extremistpressuregroups"are
tryingto"imposetheirnarrowmoralandsocialagendaonthe
majority.”
Tomakethesetwothemestheframeworkofpublicdiscussionabout
pornography,GrayandCompanylaidoutanexpensiveplantousea
seriesofnewsconferences,"advertorials"inmajornational
newspapersandmagazines,andspokesmenontelevisionandradio
news,publicaffairsprograms,andtalkshows.Anytimeyouseeor
hearthesethemes,youcanbetthatitis,overtlyorcovertly,apaid
politicaladvertisementplantedbytheprofiteeringpornographers.
Butarethesepeoplereallyagainstcensorship?Oristhatjustacover
toconcealtheirpromotionofpornographyanditsprofits?Indeed,
thosewhodefendpornographywithcriesof"censorship"are
themselvesthemostimplacablecensorsofall.
TheAttorneyGeneral'sCommissiononPornographyheldhearings
insixlargemediacentersbetweenJune19,1985,andJanuary22,
234
1986:Washington,D.C.,Chicago,Houston,LosAngeles,Miami,
andNewYorkCity.Thesubjectwastimely,important,and
controversial.Thewitnessesincludedlawenforcementofficers,
physicians,clinicians,psychologists,psychiatrists,socialscientists,
filmproducers,publishers,legislators,andvictims.Yet,these
hearingsproducednonetworkorwireservicecoverageofthe
victims.ThegiantnewsmediainAmericaclosedranksanddidnot
reporttheirtestimonies.Bytheendofthehearings,thetranscriptran
tosomethreethousandpagesoftestimony.Noonecaredtopublish
thetranscriptsofthesesensationaltestimoniesandmakethem
availabletothepublic.
Thiswascensorshipoftheworstkindbecausetherewasno
alternativesourceoftheimportantinformationwhichthehearings
provided.Thiscensorshipallowedpornographerstopropagatethe
notionthatpornographyisa"victimlesscrime."Butpornography
cannotbevic-timless,becauseitsveryessencedemandsthatavictim
besubordinate.Onecannotbeanabuserunlessthereisanabused.
Pornographyportraysthepastabuse,andpornographyisatoolto
facilitatefutureabuse.
TheAttorneyGeneral'sCommissiononPornographyforthefirst
timegavevictimsaplatformfromwhichtotelltheireyewitness
stories.Thesetestimoniesarenotpleasantorcomfortableor
entertaining.Theyareuglyanddepressing.Butthecrimescryoutfor
aremedy,eventhoughthevictimsarenotallblameless.The
testimoniesofthesevictimsprovethatpornographycorrupts,and
absolutelyuncontrolledpornographycorruptsabsolutely.These
testimoniesprovethatpornographyisaddictiveandthatthosewho
becomeaddictedcravemorebizarreandmorepervertedpornography
andbecomemorecalloustowardtheir
victims,eveniftheyaretheirwives.Pornographyisthebitterenemy
ofastablemarriage.
235
Pornographychangestheperceptionsandattitudesofmentoward
women,individuallyandcollectively,anddesensitizesmensothat
whatwasoncerepulsiveandunthinkableeventuallybecomesnotonly
acceptablebutdesirable.Whatwasoncemerefantasybecomesreality.
Withthepoetwesay,"Truthbeingtruth,Tellitandshamethedevil.”
1987
familyViolenceIsEveryone'sConcern
"ThefamilyandfamilylifearecentraltoourAmericanheritage.The
familybondsgiveusananchorinthepast,aswellashopeforthe
future.Itiswithinthefamilythattraditioniscreated,individuals
grow,andfaithisnurtured."SosaidPresidentRonaldReaganin
1984.
Stabilityinmillionsofhomesinthiscountryisthreatenedbyacrime
thatflourishesintheshadowsofsecrecy.Forgenerations,family
violencehasbeenthecrimenoonesees,talksabout,oractsupon
untilatragedyoccurs.Whilethemainsourceoffearformostpeople
isviolentcrimebystrangers,someAmericansfindthattheirown
familymembersarethesourceoftheirmostintensefear.Theydonot
havetostepoutsidetheirownhousestobeabused,assaulted,
maimed,orkilled.
Usuallyitisthemaninthefamilywhoabuseshiswifeorchildren.
Theheadofthehousehold,theveryonechargedwithproviding
supportandsafetytothefamily,mayactuallyinspireanythingbut
securefeelings.Thehome,insteadofahavenfromoutsideforces,
becomesaprisonofhopelessnessandofdemeaning,violent
behavior.Womenarepushed,punched,kicked,beaten,hitwithfists,
slapped,orattackedwithaweapon.Somearekilled.Nearly20
percentofthemurdersin1986werecommittedwithinthefamily.
Womenarenotjustvictimizedonlyonce.Abuseisseldoman
isolatedincident.TheNationalCrimeSurveyshowedthat,duringthe
236
periodfrom1978to1982,onceawomanwasvictimizedbydomestic
violence,herriskofbeingvictimizedagainwasconsiderably
increased,especiallyifthecrimewasnotreportedtotheauthorities.
Approximatelyone-thirdofthesewomenwerevictimizedagain
withinsixmonths.
Thesefactsandfiguresdonotincludethosewhorefusetoreporton
whattheyperceiveasaprivate,familyproblem.Lawenforcement
officialsconsiderspouseabusetobethesinglemostunderreported
crimeintheUnitedStates.
Theeffectsofdomesticviolencemakeaneconomicimpactaswell.It
isestimatedthat$3to$5billionayearislosttobusinessbecauseof
injuriesfromdomesticviolence.Thisfiguredoesnoteveninclude
othercostswhichresultfromthiscrime,suchasforhealthcare,
emergencyaid,andwelfare.
MostAmericansdonotwanttoadmitthatfamilyviolenceisareal
andenormousproblem.Somehow,oursocietyseemstohavea
collectiveunwillingnesstoadmitthatviolencewithinfamilylifeisa
tragedyofourtime.Wetendtoignoretheviolence,orcondemnthe
victim,orchoosesides,whileallowingthisterribleproblemtoevolve
intoalegacyofabuse.Onlywhenwerealizethatviolencetouchesour
neighbors,ourfriends,andevenourownfamilieswillwebe
committedtopurgingitfromthehomesinAmerica.Hidingthecrime,
orhidingfromthecrime,maybealmostaswrongasperpetratingit.
TomCliffordoftheNewportNews(Virginia)DailyPress-Times
Heraldsays,"Peoplewholiveindomesticviolenceliveinatyranny
ofterror."Theirplightisgrievousbecausetheybelievetheyhaveno
placetogowheretheycanbesafeandnoonetowhomtheycanturn
whowilllistenwithanunderstandingheart.Theywearamantleof
guiltwhichhasbeenplacedonthembythemselvesandsociety.
Familyviolenceisnotjustapoliticalissue.Itisapro-familyissue,a
237
man'sissue,awoman'sissue,achurchissue,acivicissue,anda
crimi
nalissue.Familyviolenceiseverybody'sissue.Wemustallactin
waystointervene,prevent,support,andprotectthevictims.Itisa
humanrightsissueforwhichweallmusttakeresponsibilityifwe
wanttoseeourwayoflife,andthevaluesthatmakeAmericagreat,
continueingenerationstocome.
1987
feministIdeologyandChildAre
It'stoobadthatthefeministmovementhasraisedfalseandunrealistic
expectationsinyoungwomen.Feministspokesmenregularlypreach
thatdomesticdutiesmustbesharedbyhusbands,thatchildcare
shouldbesubsidizedbysociety,andthatthedailychoresthatmakea
householdfunction,bypromotingcleanlinessandgoodeating,aretoo
menialtobeperformedbycollege-educatedwomen.
Feministideologyteachesthatitisdemeaningtowomentocarefor
theirbabies,andthereforetheroleofmotherhoodshouldbe
eliminatedanddaycareshouldbecomeagovernmentresponsibilityso
thatwomencanfulfillthemselvesinthepaidlaborforce.
Evenworse,thefeministmovementhasspawnedthewidespread
notionthatit'ssomebodyelse'sdutytosolvewomen'sproblems.
Whathappenedtoindividualresponsibility?Whathappenedtothe
physical,financial,andemotionalsupportthatfamilieshavealways
giventotheirownmembers?
Mostofthepressureforsubsidiesiscomingfromcareerwomen
whohaveacomfortableincomebutresentpayingthehighcostsof
hireddaycare.Thisattitudeisillustratedbyarecentcommentaryin
AmericanMedicalNewsentitled"Medicalorganizationsmustmeet
theneedsofwomenphysicians,"writtenbySusanAdelmanMD,a
pediatricsurgeoninDetroit.
238
Dr.Susanisbluntinlayingherdemandsontheline."Thequestion
is,"shesays,"whatdomostwomenphysicianswant?Theansweris
simple:awife."Yes,youreadthatcorrectly.Dr.Susancontinues:
"Whatallwomenphysiciansneedissomebodytohelpwith
housework,withfoodpreparation,andwithdaycareofanychildren
theymaybear.”
Dr.Susanmountshersoapboxandwriteswithforceandconviction.
Inordertoattractwomenmembers,Dr.Susansays,theAMAandits
componentsocietiesshouldofferwomenphysiciansdomesticmaid
servicessotheywon'thavetocleantheirownhomes.Localandstate
medicalsocietiesshouldofferwomenphysicianscateringservicesso
theywon'thavetocookforthemselves.
Dr.Susansayshospitalsshouldofferdaycareservicestowomen
physicianssotheywon'thavetotakecareoftheirownchildren.She
wantshospitalsandotheremployerstoenjoythebenefitofatax
advantageiftheyprovidemaidservicesordaycareservicestowomen
physiciansoverandabovetheirsalaries.
Dr.Susanisalmostbelligerentabouthurlingherdemands.Thetime
hascome,shesaid,totellmedicalsocietiesthatwantwomen
members,andhospitalsthatwantthepatientsofwomenphysicians,
thatthewomendoctorswilljoinuponlyifsomeoneprovidesthem
withtheservicesofawife.
Intheworldwelivein,notmanypeoplewanttobethe"wife"ofa
woman,evenifsheisadoctor,alawyer,oracorporateexecutive,and
nomatterhowhighasalarysheearns.Intheworldwelivein,not
manyhusbandsarewillingtodohalfofthehouseholdchores,
cooking,andchildcare,andhardlyanyarewillingtodothebig
majorityofthosedutieswhichawifegladlydoesforahusband.
239
Oursocietydoes,indeed,facemanyproblems,andmanyless
fortunateAmericansneedahelpinghandofonekindoranother.But
theplightoftheprofessionalorbusinesswomanwhowantssomeone
elsetoprovideherwithamaid,cook,andbabysittershouldnotbeon
anylistofgrievancesforwhichsomeoneelseshouldprovidea
remedy.A
surgeonhastheincometobuyherowndomestic,kitchen,and
babysittingservices.Sheshouldcutoutthecrybabyactandstop
askingotherstosubsidizethecareerlifestyleshehaschosen.
1988
AChild'sPlaceIsintheHome
Moreandmoreresearchispilinguptoindicatethatayoungchild's
placeisinthehomeandthereisnoadequatesubstituteforthe
bondingandattachmentthattakeplacebetweenachildandhis
mother.Asecureattachmentininfancyprovidesthebasisforselfreliance,self-regulation,andultimatelythecapacityforindependence
combinedwiththeabilitytodevelopmatureadultrelationships.
"Theprimarygoalofparentingshouldbetogiveachildalifelong
senseofsecurity—asecurebasefromwhichhecanexplorethe
world,andtowhichhecanreturn,knowinghewillbewelcomed,
nourished,comfortedandreassured,"accordingtochildpsychologist
JohnBowlbyofLondon'sTavistockClinic.Bowlbyisoneofmany
psychologistswhoemphasizetheimportanceofwhatiscalledthe
"attachmenttheory."Thechild'sabilitytoestablishintimateemotional
bondsthroughoutlife,aswellashismentalhealthandeffective
functioning,dependonthestrengthandqualityofhisattachmentto
hisparents,particularlyhisphysicalandemotionalcontactwithhis
mother.
ResearchbyMaryAinsworthattheUniversityofVirginia,Mary
MainattheUniversityofCalifornia,andAlanSroufeatthe
UniversityofMinnesotahasconsistentlyshownthatthepatternof
240
attachmentdevelopedininfancyandearlychildhoodisprofoundly
influencedbythemother'sreadyavailability,hersensitivitytoher
child'ssignals,andherresponsivenesstohisneedforcomfortand
protection.
Whenachildisconfidentthathismotherisavailable,responsive,
andhelpful,hedevelopsapatternofsecureattachment.Extensive
researchshowshowpatternsofattachmentthathavebeendeveloped
bytwelvemonthsofagearenotonlyhighlyindicativeofhowthe
childwillactinnurseryschool,buthowhewillactasanadolescent,
asayoungadult,andasaparent.
Whilethescientificandmedicalevidenceshowstheimportanceofa
mother'sconsistentandreadyavailability,itdoesnotshowtheneed
ofaperfectmother.PediatricianandpsychoanalystDonaldWinnicott,
whowasasinfluentialinEnglandasDr.BenjaminSpockwasin
America,showedthattheconditionsforsecureattachmentare
fulfilledwithwhathecalled"good-enoughmothering.”
Winnicottsaidthatadequate"holding"ofababyisindispensableto
emotionaldevelopmentandessentialfordevelopingthechild's
capacityforempathy.Thechildshouldexperiencehismotherasa
"goodandhappy"personandshouldalsoknowthathismothersees
herinfantasa"goodandhappy"person.Later,thechildinternalizes
anddrawsontheseimagestocomforthimselfwhenthemotherisnot
present.Thesesameimagesareareservoirfromwhichthechildcan
drawashecomfortsothersinhisadultlife.
PennsylvaniaStateUniversitypsychologistJayBelsky(aformer
advocateofdaycare)concludedthatrecentresearchrevealsthatinfant
daycareis"ariskfactorforthedevelopmentofinsecureinfant-parent
attachment,non-complianceandaggression."Fiftypercentofthe
daycarechildrenhestudieddevelopedinsecureattachmentstotheir
mothersandawiderangeofnegativebehaviors.
241
Ofcourseallchildren'sbehaviorproblemscannotbeblamedon
daycare.Belskydescribeswhathecallsthe"ecology"ofdaycare,
meaningthechild'stotalenvironment,includingthemother'sand
father'semotionalattitudesandskills,thefamily'ssocioeconomic
circumstances,andthebehaviorofthemotherwhenreunitedwithher
child.
Recentresearchbyotherscholarsconfirmsthatthegreatestrisksin
non-maternalcarecomefromthefailureofmother-infantattach
ment,whichresultsfromfrequentandprolongedseparations.
Daycareinfantsaremorelikelytocry,morelikelytobe
troublemakers,morelikelytowithdrawandbeloners,moreeasily
influencedbytheirpeers,lesscooperativewithadults,andlesslikely
topursuetaskstocompletion.Whileitwouldbewrongtoconclude
thatdaycareharmsallchildren,itclearlyaddsasignificantlevelof
extradistressandconflict.
1989
MommyTracksandSequentialCareers
FeministsreactedinholyhorrorwhenFeliceSchwartz'sarticleinthe
HarvardManagementReviewofJanuary-February1989startedthe
controversyabouttheMommyTrack.Shewrotethat"maternityis
biologicalratherthancultural"andthatmaternityisnotsimply
childbirthbutacontinuumthatcontinuesfrompregnancythrough
bondingandchildrearing.
Thefeministsareoffendedbyanytermindicatingthattheremaybea
differentroleformenandwomen,andtheybelievewomenare
oppressedwhensocietyexpectsmotherstotakecareoftheirown
children.Theythink"role"isadirtyfour-letterword.
Schwartz,acredentialedcareerwoman,spelledoutasolutiontothe
career-motherhooddilemma.Shesuggestedthatcorporationsoffer
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theirmanagement-levelfemaleexecutiveswhatamountstoamommy
trackinsteadoffoolishlyexpectingthemtoperformlikemenwith
100percentcommitmenttotheircareers.Thishereticalproposalupset
thefeministslikethelittleboy'sassertionthattheemperorhasno
clothes.CongresswomanPatSchroederdenounceditas"tragic"and
otherfeministspokesmenarekeepingtheirwordprocessorshotby
writingangryletters.
Ms.Schwartzcomesfromafeministperspective.Sheadmitsthat
somewomenare"careerprimary"andsaystheyshouldhaveevery
opportunitytorisetothetopincompetitionwithmen.Buta
successfulcorporateorprofessionalcareermeanssomanyextra
hoursandpersonalsacrificesforwomenthatit"requiresthatthey
remainsingleoratleastchildlessor,iftheydohavechildren,thatthey
besatisfiedtohaveothersraisethem.”
Ms.Schwartzarguesthatthemajorityofwomenare"career-andfamilywomen"whocouldbeinducedtostayonthejobifthe
companywouldofferpart-timework,flexiblehours,jobsharing,and
amommytrackwithlowerpayandreducedratesofadvancement.
Shesaysthat"mostcareer-and-familywomenareentirelywillingto
makethattradeoff."Shesaysthiswouldbesmartbusinessfor
corporationsbecauseitwouldenablethemtokeeptalentedmothers
onthejobandeventuallyrealizetheirinvestmentinthem.
Meanwhile,theAmericanMedicalNewshasjustpublishedanarticle
called"Medicine+Motherhood"featuringauthenticaccountsof
womendoctorswhosuccessfullyandhappilyhad"sequential
careers."Thearticlegaveexampleafterexampleofwomenwho
raisedtheirchildrenfirstandthenwenttomedicalschool,orhadtheir
babiesimmediatelyaftergraduationorresidencytraining,droppedout
fortentotwentyyears,andthenstartedamedicalcareer.
No,theydidn'tearnasmuchmoneyassomefull-timecareer-primary
243
doctors.Butmostsequentialphysiciansearnmorethan$50,000and
somemorethan$70,000.
Thearticledescribedthelifetimesatisfactionenjoyedbythese
sequentialwomen.Theymadecommentssuchas,"Ihavehadthebest
ofbothworldsofparenthoodandamedicalcareer....ThetimeI
spentwithmywonderfuldaughtersiswortheveryminuteofthe10yeardelay....Iwouldadvisemydaughterstohavechildrenearlyand
pursueaprofessionalcareerlater.”
NowthateventheNewYorkTimesandtheWashingtonPosthave
concededthatweareinthe"post-feminist"era,it'stimetoshedsome
offeminism'sbiasagainstmotherhoodandrecognizethat,despiteall
themediapropagandaandpeerpressureonyoungwomentobecome
career-primaryjustlikemen,that'snotwhatthemajorityofwomen
want,especiallyiftheyarepastthirty.
Whetherwomenwanttobecareer-primaryandchildless,ormothers
andthencareerwomensequentially,orpart-timemother/part-time
careerist,isapersonalchoice.It'sachoicethatshouldbeallowedby
ourlawsandbusinesspractices,notberestrictedbylawsthatrequire
amindlessgenderneutrality.
1989
ThePoliticsofDaycare
OnJanuary7,1988,theMacNeil-LehrerNeivsHourproclaimedthat
"childcare"wasAmerica'snumber-onesocialissue.Thiswasthe
openingblastofamassivemediacampaigntoconvincetheAmerican
peopletosupportuniversalfederallyfinanceddaycare.This
promotionwasnotdesignedtohelpthepoorandneedy,buttomake
daycareamiddle-classentitlement.
NBC'sTodayShowsoonboardedthepublicitytrainforfederal
babysittingbygivingfriendlyfeatureinterviewstoBettyFriedanand
244
PatriciaSchroeder.Newspapersstartedprintingatorrentof
manufacturednewsaboutanalleged"crisis"indaycarecostand
safety.Thecrywasfor"availability,affordability,andquality,"catch
wordsthattranslatedintoademandthatthefederalgovernmentbuild,
subsidize,andregulatealldaycare.
OnFebruary21,1988,DanRatherpresentedasegmentontheCBS
EveningNewspromotingthenotionthatthefederalgovernment
shouldfinanceandregulatedaycare.HeshowedvisualsofaRussian
daycarecenterandcommentedwithadmiration,"Whateverelsethe
Soviet
Uniondoes,ittakescareofitschildren.Daycareisprovidedforall
childrenfromtwomonthsofage.”
ByAprilof1988,thePublicBroadcastingServicehadjoinedthe
chorus.PBS-TVproclaimedFederalDaycareWeekandspreadits
messageoneightprograms,includingSesameStreet.Ablatantly
biasedone-hour"documentary"onApril13notonlytriedtosellthe
Americanpeopleonfederaldaycareforallchildren,butfeaturedohso-friendlyinterviewswithSenatorChristopherDoddand
DemocraticpresidentialcandidateMichaelDukakis,withoutasingle
opposingspokesman.
Mediacoverageofthechild-careissuein1988wasloadedatleastten
tooneinfavorofinitiatingfederallyfundedandfederallyregulated
daycare.
BythetimeCongressstartedtoconsiderthelegislativecenterpieceof
thispublicrelationsoffensive,theDodd-KildeeABCbill,
subcommitteechairmenSenatorChristopherDodd(D-CT)and
RepresentativeDaleKildee(D-MI)feltsecureenoughtostackthe
hearingswithoutanypretenseoffairnesstoopposingviewpoints.At
theHouseEducationandLaborSubcommitteehearingonFebruary
25,1988,alltwenty-twowitnessessupportedthebill;notonewitness
245
waspermittedtotestifyagainstit.TheSenateLaborandHuman
ResourcesSubcommitteehearingonMarch15wassimilarlystaged
withsixteenwitnessesinfavoroffederaldaycareandonlyone
againstit.
Asaresultofcomplaintsaboutsuchbias,afewpersonsopposedto
federaldaycarebills,includingSecretaryofEducationWilliam
Bennett,werefinallypermittedtotestifybeforeaKildee
subcommitteehearingonApril21.OpponentsoftheDodd-Kildee
billlabeledit"discriminatory"becausethebillwoulddenyallbenefits
tomotherswhotakecareoftheirownchildren,whilebenefitingonly
motherswhopurchasedaycarefromfederallyapprovedproviders.
TherealshockercamewhenaRepublicancongressmanaskeda
federaldaycareadvocatethisquestionatahearing:Ifanemployed
motherarrangesforherchildtobecaredforduringthedaybyGrand
motherorAuntMillie(whohasalreadyraisedthreechildrenofher
own),don'tyouthinkthatmothershouldhavethesamebenefitinany
federallegislationastheemployedmotherwhoputsherchildina
daycarecenter?
Theliberalpanelistresponded:OnlyifGrandmotherorAuntMillie
islicensed,regulated,andhasreceivedgovernmenttraining.The
implicationsofthatreplyrippledthroughWashington,andPresident
RonaldReagancommentedthatwecertainlycan'thaveanylegislation
thatrequiresgrandmotherstobelicensedorregistered.
TheprofoundlybiasednewsreportstowhichtheAmericanpeople
weresubjectedin1988revealedthepublicityprofessionalismoffour
interestgroupsthatjoinedtogetherinapoliticalcoalitiontopromote
large-scalefederalfinancingofbabysittingcenters,federalregulation
ofalldaycare,andtheestablishmentofgroupcareforinfantsand
preschoolchildrenasthenormandanewmiddle-classentitlement.
246
Thefirstleginthisfour-leggedcoalitionwasthefeminists.Their
ideologyhastaughtthemthatsociety'sexpectationthatmotherstake
careoftheirownchildrenisunfairandimpedeswomen'sopportunity
toparticipatefull-timeinthepaidlaborforceandtherebyachieve
economicequalitywithmen.
Thesecondgroupwasmadeupofthechild"developmentalists"who
hadbeenseekinganopportunitytorevivethediscredited
recommendationsofthe1970WhiteHouseConferenceonChildren
andthefailedlegislativeproposalsoftheMondale-Brademas
ComprehensiveChildDevelopmentbill.Thechiefguruofthose
advocatingfederalregulationandcontrolofchildcareisProfessor
EdwardF.ZiglerattheYaleUniversityBushCenterinChild
Development.AtitstenthanniversarydinneronSeptember18,1987,
Ziglerrevealedtherealplansandpurposesofpeoplesuchashimself
whomhecalls"developmentalists.”
Ziglercalledforafederaldaycareprogramthatwillcost"$75to$100
billionayear."Hesaidhewantsthenewfederaldaycaresystemto
"becomepartoftheverystructureofoursociety,"undertheprinciple
that
"everychildshouldhaveequalaccesstochildcareandallethnicand
socio-economicgroupsshouldbeintegratedasfullyaspossible."
Ziglerurged,"Thechildcaresolutionmustcoverthechildfromas
earlyinpregnancyaspossiblethroughatleastthefirst12yearsof
life."Hewantschildrentoberearedbya"partnershipbetween
parentsandthechildren'scaretakers,"headquarteredinthepublic
schools.
Thethirdcomponentofthedaycarecoalitionwastheliberal
Democrats.OnaJanuaryweekendin1988,131Democratic
congressmenwentuptotheGreenbrierresortatWhiteSulphur
Springs,WestVirginia,todiscusshowtowinthe1988elections.
Theydevisedagameplantouse"kids'issues"tohelptheDemocratic
247
congressmenreclaimconstituenciestheyhadlosttotheRepublicans,
whohadrathersuccessfullymade"familyvalues"theirrallyingcry
duringtheyearsoftheReaganAdministration.
StanleyB.GreenbergofTheAnalysisGroupInc.presentedanissue
papercalled"KidsAsPolitics:AProposedCampaignStrategyfor
DemocraticCandidatesin1988."Itsthemewasthatengagingin
politicalrhetoricabout"kids"wouldprovidetheDemocratswith"an
enormousopportunitytoshapethepoliticaldiscourse,afteryearsof
respondingtoapublicdebatecontrolledbytheRepublicans."The
coldandcalculatingdiscussionofchildrenasameanstogetvotes
wasapparentfromtherhetoricusedbythishigh-pricedcampaign
consultant:"kidsareanumbrella...kidsareacommoncurrency...
kidsareacommoncoinage."Thepaperurgedthat"Democratsmust
getvoterstofocusontheiranxietiesaboutthefutureandmakethose
feelingsrealandeffective.Kidsarethebestvehicle.”
Thefourthfactorinthedaycarecoalitionwasthesocialservice
professionals,avastarmyoftax-salariedpeoplewhowouldliketo
expandtheirranks,theirpay,andtheirturf.Thekeytodoingthatisto
havemoresocialproblemsthatrequiremorecareandmore
counseling.It'sabureaucracythatfeedsonitself.
Thesocialserviceprofessionalsintegratedtheirnetworkwiththe
otherthreesegmentsofthecoalitiontoformtheChildCareAction
Campaign.Inordertofocusontheirlegislativeobjectives,theystaged
aconferenceattheWaldorf-AstoriaHotelinNewYorkCityon
March17-18,1988.Itwasdesignedtopromoteamassiveexpansion
oftheirtax-paidturfbystimulatingsupportfortheDodd-KildeeABC
bill.
TheheadlinespeakerswerealeadingliberalDemocrat,SenatorChris
Dodd,andaleadingfeminist,GloriaSteinem,neitherofwhomhad
anychildren.Oneoftheproblemswiththechild-careissueisthe
248
numberofself-appointedspokesmencavalierlyprescribinggroup
careforbabieswhothemselveshaveneverhadthecareofevenone
baby,letalonetenortwentyinfantsatonetime.Mostpersons
advocatinggroupcareofbabieshaven'tthefoggiestideaofthe
immenseamountofworkandloverequiredtocareforaninfant.
TheexcitinghighlightoftheconferencewasbreakfastwithPhil
Donahue.TheboardofdirectorsoftheChildCareActionCampaign
includedtheformerheadoftheNationalOrganizationforWomen,
EleanorSmeal,andcurrentheadsofotherfeministorganizations,the
NOWLegalDefense&EducationFund,theNationalWomen's
PoliticalCaucus,andMs.magazine.TheChildCareAction
Campaignpublishedanewsletterthatprovidedadviceonchildcare
fromsuchexpertsasDr.Ruth.
Thestatedgoalofthisformidablecoalitionwastomakedaycarepart
ofthe"infrastructure"ofoursociety.Eachofthefourgroupsinthe
coalition,foritsownpurposes,wantedtochangeourcultureby
persuadingtheAmericanpeopletoadoptandpubliclyfinance
universalgroupcareofpreschoolchildren.
Childcareposesthefundamentalquestionofwhetherthegiant
apparatusofgovernmentwillbepro-familyoranti-family.Willwe
havelowertaxesorincreasedtaxes,moregovernmenttakingoverof
familyfunctionsorless?ThecomplaintisoftenvoicedthattheUnited
States
istheonlyWesternnationthathasnochild-carepolicy.Wedo,
indeed,needachild-carepolicy—onethatisinharmonywith
Americanfreedoms,familyintegrity,andeconomicgrowth.That
policyshouldbe:Cutthetaxesonfamilieswithchildrensotheycan
spendmoreoftheirhard-earnedmoneywith100percentfreedomof
choice.
1989
249
WhoIsliberatedby'Divorce?
Backin1970whenthewomen'sliberationmovementwasjust
gatheringmomentum,aNewYorkUniversityprofessornamed
WarrenT.Farrellprovidedtherationaleforwhyitshouldbe
supportedbymen.Essentially,hisargumentwasthatmenshould
eagerlylookforwardtothedaywhentheycanenjoyfreesexandnot
havetopayforit.
Farrelladvocatedanever-neverlandwhereahusbandwouldno
longerbe"saddledwiththetremendousguiltfeelings"whenheleaves
hiswifewithnothing,aftershehasgivenhimherbestyears.Ifa
husbandloseshisjob,heshouldnotfeelcompelledtotakeanyjobto
supporthisfamily,FarrelltoldtheAmericanPoliticalScience
Association.Farrellspokeinacademicverbiage,buthismessagewas
clear.
ThemalemillenniumthatProfessorFarrellsoeagerlysoughtand
predictedhaslargelycomeabout.Thechiefchangeinournow
liberatedsocietywastheadoptionofeasy,no-faultdivorce.
Thischangeinourdivorcelawshasaffectedthesocial,economic,
cultural,andlegalfabricofoursocietymorethananythingelsethat
hashappenedinthelasttwodecades.Onecanavoidparticipatingin
orsuccumbingtootherchanges,butthechangedlawsandattitudes
aboutdivorceaffectusall.Noonecanforceyoutohaveanabortion
ortoreadpornography.Ifyoucan'tprayinschool,youcanstillpray
athome,in
church,andinyourheart.Youcanescapewhatyoudeemtobe
intolerablesituationsbychangingyourjoboryourschool.
Butdivorce—thedissolutionofasolemnmutualcontractinwhich
youpledgeyourlife,yourhonor,yourname,yourcommitment,and
yourfuture—canbethrustuponyouwithoutyourconsent.Ittakes
250
twotomarry,butnowonespousecanterminatethemarriagewithout
theconsentoftheother.Theveryexistenceofthisswordof
Damocleshangingovereveryhusbandandwifevalidatestheattitude
thatmarriageistemporaryandbasedonself-satisfaction,ratherthan
oncommitmentandresponsibility.
Theradicalfeministmovementpeddledeasy,no-faultdivorceas
liberationforwomenwhen,infact,itwaschieflyliberationformen.
Thefeministsdidn'tdiscovertheirmistakeuntilLenoreWeitzman
publishedherlandmark1985book,TheDivorceRevolution,which
provedthateasydivorceusuallymeanseconomicdevastationfor
women.
Itisalsotimeforsomeonetospeakupandsayoutloudthatalarge
partofthehumancostofdivorceispaidbythechildren.
1990
WhyfeministsTargetWives
Ifthereeverwereabookthatourculturehasbeenwantingforthelast
thirtyyears,DomesticTranquilitybyCarolynGragliaisit.With
libraryshelvessaggingundertheweightofsomanytiresometirades
bythird-ratefeministwriters,andcollegecoursesmorphinginto
OppressionStudies,we'vebeensorelyneedingexactlywhatCarolyn
Gragliahasgivenus:ascholarlybriefagainstfeminism.
Mrs.Gragliahassavedusfromhavingtoreadthosetedioustomes
andpitifulpolemicstaughtinwomen's-studiescourses,whichought
tobecalledfeministindoctrinationsessions.Shehaswoventhe
whiningsofallthosepseudointellectualfeministsintoacoherent
expositionoftheirincoherentideology,andthentotallydemolished
theirpretenses.
Mrs.Gragliacorrectlyidentifiestherealtargetofthefeminists'
savagecampaign.It'snotequalityoropportunityforwomeninthe
251
marketplace;it'snotpromotingchoiceofcareersorlifestyles.The
feminists'goalistheeliminationoftheroleofthefull-time
homemakerbymakingitun-chicanduneconomic,indeed,downright
irrational.Theirgoalistheeliminationofthefull-timehomemakerby
statusdegradationonthepsychologicalfrontandfinancial
degradationontheeconomicfront.
Whyshouldthatbe?Afterall,wouldn'tcareer-seekingfeministsbe
glad,atleastaftertheyhavewrittenaffirmativeactionintothelaw,to
enjoyreducedcompetitionfromotherwomen?
Notifyouunderstandfeministideology.Thefeministsrealizealltoo
wellthattheycannotachievealevelplayingfieldinthemarketplace
solongastheirmalecompetitorshavetheadvantageoffull-time
homemakerwiveswhocooktheirmeals,tendtheirchildren,make
theirhomesarefugefromthecompetitiveworld,andmotivatethemto
workhardertoprovidefortheirdearones.Feministsbelievethat
achievementoftheirowncareergoalsdependsondeprivingtheir
malecompetitorsoftheadvantageofhavingwives.Ergo,feminists
aredeterminedtopushallwivesoutofthehomeandintothelabor
force.
ThefeministanimustowardwivesremindsusofaRussianfable.
BorishadagoatandIvanhadnone.Onedaythegoodfairyappeared
andtoldIvanshewouldgranthimonewish.Ivanmadehisrequest:I
wantthatBoris'sgoatshoulddie.
Mrs.Gragliacomprehensivelydissectsfeminisminallitsdisguises
andcontradictions.Sheunmasksitforwhatitis:aviciousand
relentlesswaragainstthetraditionalfamily,atake-no-prisonerswarto
eliminatehusbandbreadwinnersanddependent-wifehomemakers.
Feminist
tacticsincludelayingaguilttriponhusbandsandhumiliatingtheir
wives,makingbothunhappywiththeirroles.
252
Sincefeminism'sgoalsdemandthatvirtuallyallwomenenterthe
laborforce,feministsseektounderminethetraditionalwife'sfinancial
securityanddestroyherself-worth,theformerbychangesinour
laws,thelatterbyname-calling.Sincethemid-1960s,wehavebeen
hitinourpsychologicalsolarplexuswithachorusofepithets
designedtodemolishthehomemaker'sself-esteem.Shewascalleda
parasitebecausesheisnotworkinginpaidemployment,warnedthat
devotingherselftochildrearingisanunworthyendeavor,andtaunted
thatsheliveswithoutusingadultcapabilityorintelligence.
AsMrs.Gragliasoexquisitelyexplains,feminism'simpactonyoung
women,notyetoldenoughtoexperienceloveandromance,hasbeen
dramatic.ThousandsofAmericanwomenmadethistragicmistake.
Buthavingmadeit,theyfeelacompellingemotionalneedtodefendit
andtojustifyit.
InaWashingtonconferenceinJanuary1989,theeconomistand
socialtheoristGeorgeGilderdescribedhowfeminismpersuaded
womentofocusontheircareersintheirtwentiesandearlythirties,
competingintenselywithmenforadvancementintheirjobs,andthen
ifperhapstheydecidetheywantto"haveitall,"ataboutageforty
theycanthinkaboutmarriage.Atthatpoint,theydiscoveritismuch
harderforawomantogetmarried,oratleasttomarryamanshe
wantstomarry.Gilderexplainedthattherealheartofthedaycare
controversy"isessentiallyaboutratifyingthefeministmistake—an
attempttogivepublicratificationtotheappallingerrorwhichmillions
ofAmericanwomenmadeinthe1970sand1980s.”
Looktothefeministsthemselvesforconfirmationofthisfeminist
mistake.Afterturningforty,GermaineGreer,oneoftheiconsofthe
fiercelyindependent,aggressivelysexualnewwomen,whoboasted
oftheirloversbutrejectedmarriageandmotherhoodinfavorof
career,
253
wroteintheBritishmagazineAura:"IwasdesperateforababyandI
havethemedicalbillstoproveit.Istillhavepregnancydreams,
waitingforsomethingthatwillneverhappen.”
TheNewYorkTimesMetroeditorJoycePurnick,speakingtothe
graduatesataBarnardCollegecommencement,said"Don'tpretend
youdon'thaveabiologicalclockbecauseyoudo....Timemoves
along,andthenthewindowcloses."Bythetimesherealizedshe
wantedchildren,itwastoolate.
CarolynGragliaalsoexposestheconsequencesofthefeminist
campaigntopersuadeyoungwomentoabandonmodesty,virginity,
andthetraditionalwithholdingofsexualfavorsuntilmarriage.
FeminismisaPiedPiperwholedthemtobelievethatmenand
womenarefungible,notonlyintheworkplace,notonlyinthekitchen
andnursery,butalsoinbed.Liberationforwomencametomeanthat
womenmustparticipatein,indeed,mustenjoy,casualuncommitted
sexjustlikemen.Androgynouscurrentsinliterature,entertainment,
andeducationhavedisadvantagedasignificantsegmentofyoung
Americanssothattheydon'tknowhowtoattractaspouseand
cultivateamutualandenduringcommitmenttomarriageandfamily.
That'stoobad,becausetheyaremissingoutonthegreatestjoysof
life.
Mrs.Graglia'sanalyticaldescriptionoffeministtheoryandbehavior
isdepressing.Butsheendsonahopefulnote.Shehopesthatwomen,
likeWagner'sBrunnhilde,willabandontheirwarriorroleandawaken
tolifeinthearmsofanoble,courageous,andmanlymanlike
Siegfried,whowillbecome"myjoy,mywealth,myworld,myone
andall!”
Mrs.Gragliaeloquentlydefendsthenotionthatthecareerofwifeand
motherproducesrewardsthatoutweighthoseoftheworkplace.She
invitesyoungwomentorediscovertheirmodesty,awakentheir
femininity,andenjoytherewardsofconjugalloveandlifetime
254
commitment.
Cantoday'syoungwomanresistthesocialimperativesofthe
feministmovement,sofiercelyreinforcedbyunremittingpressure
frompeers
andmedia?Awisemanoncesaid,thereareonlytwoclassesof
peopleintheworld:thosewhoprofitfromthemistakesofothersand
thosewhoinsistonmakingtheirownmistakes.Everyyoungwoman
shouldarmherselfpsychologicallybyreadingGeorgeGilder'sMen
andMarriageinordertounderstandmen,andDomesticTranquilityin
ordertounderstandwomen.Theyarepowerfulweaponsofsanityin
adisorganizedanduncertainworld.
Thetraditional,pro-familywomandoesnotneedtosearchforher
identity.Shehashervaluesingoodorder.Sheisdedicatedtofaithin
God,servicetofamily,andappreciationforthisgreatcountryin
whichwearesofortunatetolive.Shedoesnotseekherfulfillmentat
thepriceoftakingbenefitsawayfromothers,asthefeministsare
foreverdoing.WeknowthatinAmerica,thelandofsupreme
opportunity,womencanmakewhatevertheywantoftheirlives.
1998
TwofacesofMarriageTaxReform
Repealofthemarriagetaxpenaltyisalwaysgoodforabigroundof
applauseinthecampaignspeechesofpoliticalcandidates.Butthe
politicalbombastusuallyconcealsthesocialpolicythatlurksbehind
thetwoapproachestoreform.
Themarriagetaxisnotverballyexpressedaspolicyinanystatutebut
isburiedinthenumbers.Youcan'tfindasectioninthetaxlawthatis
labeled"marriagetax."Itisaconsequenceofourincometaxtreatinga
marriedcoupleasonly1.67personsinsteadoftwowholepersons.
Remedyingthemarriagetaxisnotjustamatterofdollars.Ideologyis
255
atstake.Isthepurposeofcuttingthemarriagetaxtogivelong
overduerespecttomarriageasaninstitutionfundamentaltooursoci
etyandtotheraisingofchildren?Oristhepurposetoenable
governmenttoengageinnationaleconomicplanningbyusingtaxesto
influencehumanbehavior?
Ifthepurposeistheformer,thenitfollowsthatallmarriedcouples
withthesameincomeshouldbetaxedequally.Congressdealtfairly
withthisissuebypassingabillin2000thatwouldtaxone-earnerand
two-earnermarriedcouplesequally.PresidentClintonvetoedthebill,
anditdidnotbecomelaw.
If,ontheotherhand,theplanistogiveataxbreakonlytotwoearnercouples,thatplanwouldreplacethemarriagepenaltywitha
newhomemakerpenalty.Evenpoliticianswhodon'tparticularlycare
aboutpromotingmarriageshouldbesqueamishaboutdiscriminating
againstonetypeofmarriedcoupleinfavorofanother.
Butsomeinfluentialpolicymakersarguethatitwouldbeaneconomic
goodforthetaxlawtoadvantagetwo-earnercouplesand
disadvantagebreadwinner-homemakerstylecouples.These
economistspraisegivingmoretaxbreakstotwo-earnercouples
becausethatwillinducemarriedwomentowardgreaterparticipation
inthelaborforce,whichinturnwillincreaseourGrossDomestic
Product.
EdwardMcCaffery,alawprofessorattheUniversityofSouthern
California,isfavorablyquotedinaHeritageFoundationanalysisof
themarriagepenalty:"Thefactthatpotentialworkerswouldavoidthe
laborforceasaresultofpeculiaritiesinthetaxcodeisaclearsignof
afailuretomaximizeeligibleresources.Asaresult,thenationasa
wholefailstoreachitseconomicpotential,whichisdemonstratedby
decreasedearnings,output,andinternationalcompetitiveness."In
256
otherwords,TheEconomywantswivesandmotherstojointhe
workforceinordertoreachournation'seconomicpotential.
AlanReynoldsoftheHudsonInstitutewroteinNationalReviewin
1999thattheU.S.economyis"runningshortofwillingandable
workers"primarilybecausehighmarginaltaxratesare"driving
skilledmarriedwomenoutofthelaborforce."Theassumptionbehind
this
argumentisthatfull-timehomemakersareeconomicnon-contributors,
indifferenttothewantsofTheEconomy.
Lookathowthetwoapproachestomarriagetaxreformimpactona
familybudget.Let'ssayamarriedcoupleisstrugglingfinanciallyand
needsmoreincometosupportthefamily,perhapsbecauseofthebirth
ofachild.Whatchoicesareavailable?
Onefamilydecidestobeatwo-earnercouple;thewifetakesajob
andputsherchildrenindaycare.Underoneplanconsideredby
Congress,thiscouplewouldgetamarriagetaxdeductionof10
percentofhersalaryupto$30,000;thatwouldchopasmuchas$990
offthefamily'sfederalincometaxbill(attheproposed33percenttax
rate).Inaddition,thiscouplewouldqualifyfortheexistingtaxcredit
forchild-careexpenses,whichisworthupto$960.
Inanotherfamily,thehusbandmoonlightsatasecondjobsohiswife
cancarefortheirchildrenathome.Thisfamilywillnotqualifyfor
eitherthe10percentmarriagetaxdeductionorthechild-carecredit
thatexistsincurrenttaxlaw.
Moonlightingatasecondjobisjustoneofseveralwaysahusband
canprovidehischildrenwiththebenefitsofafull-timemotherand
avoidcommercialdaycare.Thehusbandcanworklongerhoursathis
firstjob;hecanmaketheextraeffortrequiredtogetahigher-paying
job;hecangotoschoolatnighttotrainforahigher-payingcareer.
257
Thehusbandandwifesurelyworkjustashardinthissecondfamily
asinthefirst.Whyshouldtheypayupto$1,950moreinfederal
incometaxesonthesamefamilyincome?Whoarethebureaucrats
andpoliticianswhopresumetousethetaxpowertoforcetraditional
husband-breadwinner,wife-homemakercouplestosubsidizetwoearnercoupleswhohirepaidchildcare?
Themarriagepenaltyinthetaxcodeisanimmoralpolicy,butit
shouldnotberemediedbygivingataxcutonlytotwo-earner
couples.Thatwouldsendtheradicalfeministmessagethatthe
governmentseesnovalueinahomemaker'sworkathome,thatthe
roleofa"non-work
ing"wifeandmotherislesssociallybeneficial(orlessworthy)than
paidemployment.
2OOI
ADaycarebombshellHitsthe"Village"
Theadvocatesof"Ittakesavillagetoraiseachild"arehavingarough
year.Theyarescurryingaroundtryingtocomeupwithargumentsto
refutethenewstudyshowingthatchildrenwhospendmostoftheir
timeindaycarearethreetimesaslikelytoexhibitbehaviorproblems
inkindergartenasthosewhoarecaredforprimarilybytheirmothers.
Childrenwhospendmorethanthirtyhoursaweekindaycarewere
foundtobemoredemandingandmoreaggressive.Theyscored
higheronthingslikefighting,cruelty,bullying,meanness,talkingtoo
much,andmakingdemandsthatmustbemetimmediately.Thestudy
foundadirectcorrelationbetweentimespentindaycareandachild's
aggression,defiance,anddisobedience.Thefindingsheldtrue
regardlessofthetypeorqualityofdaycare,thesexofthechild,the
family'ssocio-economicstatus,orthequalityofthemothercare.
Whyisanybodysurprisedthatsocialscienceresearchisconfirming
258
reality?Truesciencealwaysverifiesreality;it'sonlyjunksciencethat
manufacturesillusionsbasedonideologies.
Thenewstudyfollowedmorethanelevenhundredchildreninten
citiesineverykindofdaycaresetting,fromcarewithrelativesand
nanniestopreschoolandlargedaycarecenters.Thestudywas
financedbytheNationalInstituteonChildHealthandHuman
Development,abranchoftheNationalInstitutesofHealththat
producedadaycare-friendlyreportin1996.
The"village"advocatesareswarmingalloverthemediawiththeir
feeblerebuttals.Theyargue,withoutevidence,thatbetterquality
daycare
mightproducedifferentresults,thattherealproblemisthatemployed
parentsaretiredandstressed,andthatthestudyhasn'tundergone
rigorouspeerreview.Ofcourse,thereareothervariables,including
viewingtelevision,thedivorceofparents,andtheamountoffather
care.Butthisnewstudyisthemostcomprehensivetodateandit
findsdaycarewantingbyasignificantmargin.
Thenewstudycorroboratesthefindingsofoneofitsprincipal
investigators,Dr.JayBelsky,whoshockedthechild-development
worldwithanarticleentitled"InfantDayCare:ACausefor
Concern?"in1986.Belskyreportedontheevidencethenpilingup
thatinfantswhospentlonghoursindaycarewereatriskof
behavioralproblemslater.
Atthattime,thedaycareindustryandthe"village"advocatesinthe
child-developmentfieldwerepreparingtolaunchanational
advertisingcampaignforfederallyfunded,federallyregulateddaycare
asanewmiddle-classentitlement.Theyfeltthreatenedbythisarticle
byBelsky,thenjustayoungassociateprofessoratPennsylvaniaState
University.
259
Sothedaycareindustryloweredtheprofessionalboomontheupstart
professorwhodaredtochallengethethen-prevailingfeministnotion
thatcommercialdaycarewaswhatinfantsreallyneededsothattheir
motherscouldfulfillthemselvesinthelaborforce.Thewordwent
out:Don'tbuyBelsky'stextbook,shunhimatprofessionalmeetings,
labelhimamisogynist.
Thereasonthedaycareissuearousessuchbitterantagonismisnot
onlythatitchallengesliberalswhowanttoexpandgovernmentsocial
servicesbyhavingthe"village"takeoverraisingchildren.The
daycareissuealsostrikesattheheartoffeministideology:thatitis
oppressiveforsocietytoexpectmotherstocarefortheirown
children.Anyevidencethatshowscommercialdaycareasinferiorto
mothercaremustbedestroyedandthemessengersvilified.
Remarkably,Belskydidn'tkowtowtothepoliticallycorrectgestapo,
assomanyacademicshavedone.Heisnowaprofessoratthe
Univer
sityofLondon,andthistimehewasjoinedinhisresearchbysomeof
themostrespectedchild-developmentexperts.
HillaryClintonmadeanattempttopeddlethenotionofadaycare
"crisis"asher"frontierissue"in1997.Shehostedanexclusive
shindigattheWhiteHousefeaturingalltheusualsuspectsofthose
whowantthe"village"toraisechildren,suchasherfriendMarian
WrightEdelmanoftheChildren'sDefenseFund,buttheAmerican
peopleturnedadeafeartohercriesof"crisis.”
Theconservativesolutiontochild-careneedshasalwaysbeentax
credits,thatis,letparentsspendtheirownmoneyforthechildcareof
theirchoiceanddon'tforcemotherstakingcareoftheirownchildren
tosubsidizebabysittersforemployedmoms.Fortunately,we'vemade
someprogressinlegislatingchildcreditsintotheincometaxcode.
260
2001
TheU.N.TreatyontheRightsoftheChild
TheUnitedNationsConventionontheRightsoftheChild,signedin
1995byBillClintonbutwiselyneverratifiedbyourSenate,isapet
projectofthosewhobelievethatthe"village"shouldraisechildren
ratherthantheirparents,includingHillaryClintonandherbuddiesat
theChildren'sDefenseFund.
Ifthistreatywereproposedasfederallegislation,itwouldbequickly
rejectedbyCongressandtheAmericanpeople.That'sbecauseit
wouldgivethefederalgovernmentunacceptablybroadnewpowers
overchildren,families,andschools.Ifwewouldn'tgivesuchpowers
toourowngovernment,whywouldweeventalkaboutgrantingsuch
powerstoapanelofforeignbureaucrats,evenwhentheycall
themselves"experts"?
ThisUNtreatypurportstogivethechildtherighttoexpresshisown
views"freelyinallmatters,"toreceiveinformationofallkinds
through"mediaofthechild'schoice,"to"freedomofreligion,"tobe
protectedfrom"interferencewithhisorherprivacy...or
correspondence,"tohaveaccesstoinformationfromnationaland
"internationalsources,"tousehis"ownlanguage,"andtohavethe
rightto"restandleisure."Thesearejustafewofthedozensofnew
"rightsofthechild"scatteredthroughoutthefifty-fourarticlesofthe
UNtreaty,whichislongerthantheU.S.Constitution.
Dowereallywanttogiveeverychildthelegalrighttosayanything
hewantstohisparentsatthedinnertable?Towatchtelevision
("accesstothemedia")insteadofdoinghomework?Toescape
householdchoresbecausetheyinterferewithhisUNrightto"rest
andleisure"?Tojoinacultinsteadofattendinghisparents'church?
TorefusetospeakEnglishinourpublicschools?
UnlikeourU.S.Constitution,whichonlymentionsrightsthatcanbe
261
enforcedagainstthegovernment,thisUNtreatydeclaresrightsofthe
childagainstparents,thefamily,privateinstitutions,andsocietyasa
whole.Sincethetreatyisalegaldocumentwhich,ifratified,would
becomepartofthe"supremelawoftheland,"wecanexpectliberal
lawyerstobringtestcasestopersuadeactivistjudgestopushitsreach
asfarastheycan.
CurrentU.S.lawprohibitsourownfederalgovernmentfrom
prescribinganyschoolcurriculum,butthisUNtreatyonthechild
prescribescurriculawithmeddlesomespecificity.Itcallsforteaching
childrenrespectfor"theprinciplesenshrinedintheCharterofthe
UnitedNations,"for"thenationalvaluesof...civilizationsdifferent
fromhisorherown,"for"tolerance"and"equalityofthesexes,"and
for"thenaturalenvironment.”
ThisUNtreatyrequiresgovernments,tothe"maximumextentof
theiravailableresources,"toassuretherightofeverychildtoan
"adequatestandardofliving,"including"nutrition,clothingand
housing."Thetreatywouldrequireusto"ensurethedevelopment"of
child-careinstitutions,facilities,andservices.Theseprovisionscannot
beimple
mentedwithoutmoney,sowillthecourtsrequireourgovernmentto
imposenewtaxestocarryoutthesetreatyobligations?
Wearenotfooledbythetreaty'suseofabortioneuphemismssuchas
"herrightofaccesstohealthcareservices,""preventivehealthcare,"
"familyplanningeducationandservices,""reproductivehealth
services,"and"privacy."Anothertreatyright,"equalityofthesexes,"
hasbeenrepeatedlyusedbythefeministsinU.S.courtstorequire
statestopayforMedicaidabortions.
Ofcourse,allthesefar-reachingUNtreatygoalswouldnotbe
completewithouttheestablishmentofanewinternational
bureaucracy,soArticle43setsupacommitteeoftenso-called
262
"experts."ThereisnoassurancethatanyAmericanwillbeonthis
committeeorthatevenoneexpertwillbesensitivetoAmerican
institutionsandtraditions.
Nothingprovesthehypocrisyofthistreatymorethantherepeated
tauntsthateverynationhasratifieditexcepttheUnitedStatesand
Somalia.Countriesthathavealreadyratifieditregularlyengagein
childlabor,slavery,mutilation,andsellinggirlsandboysinto
prostitution,andwedon'twanttojointheirclub.
TheUNConventionontheRightsoftheChildisabaddealfor
Americansoneverycount,andwehopetheUnitedStatesSenatewill
neverratifyit.
2001
Aaron,Betsy,19
ABC,10,18-20,23,57,58
abortion
availabilityof,208inChina,152-53ERAand,xix,121—23
euphemismsfor,246government-funded,30mediaand,56partialbirth,34pornographyand,218asright,56sexdiscriminationand,
121SupremeCourtand,
34,137-38tax-paid,209U.S.Constitutionand,
137
women'srightsand,124
Abzug,Bella,30,39,136,
149
Acadia,171AChoiceNotAnEcho
(Schlafly),xiv—xv
Index
ACLU.SeeAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion
Adelman,Susan,223-24
ADoll'sHouse(Ibsen),68
263
adultery
inmilitary,182-83ontelevision,55-56
advertising
militaryand,186-87television,50-52
affirmativeaction
governmentand,29,42mediaand,29inmilitary,173—74for
women,6,29,124,128-30,134-36
Africa,117-18
AFSCMEv.StateofWashington.SeeAmericanFederationofState,
Country,andMunicipalEmployeesv.StateofWashington
AFT.SeeAmerican
FederationofTeachers
AftertheSexualRevolution,18
Ainsworth,Mary,225
AirForceSurgeonGeneral,162
Albright,Madeleine,34,36,148
Alda,Alan,xvi
Allen,Woody,62
AllMyChildren,23
alternativelifestyles,55,208
America.SeeUnitedStates
AmericanAcademyofPediatricians,203
AmericanAcademyofPediatrics,22
AmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU)abortionand,121
pornographyand,218women'sstudiesand,102—4
AmericanFamilyReport,7
247
AmericanFederationofState,County,andMunicipalEmployees
(AFSCME)v.StateofWashington,no,113
AmericanFederationofTeachers(AFT),205-6
AmericanLawSchool,107
AmericanMedicalNews,223,228
264
AmericanPoliticalScienceAssociation,234
AmericansforGenerationalEquity,212
"AmericansfortheRighttoRead",219
TheAnalysisGroupInc.,232
Anderson,Jack,171
Anderson,Susan,20-21
Annan,Kofi,186
AntiochLawSchool,107
Applewhite,Ashton,79
Arizona,91
Arkansas,36
art,ofPicasso,70-72
AssociationofAmericanPhysiciansandSurgeons,37
AstheWorldTurns,23
AT&T,98
attachmenttheory,225-27
AttorneyGeneral'sCommissiononPornography,219,220
Aulette,JudyRoot,79
Aura,238
AvonProducts,41
BabyBoom,26,62"babyhunger",3Backlash(Faludi),79Baehrv.
Lewin,123Baehrv.Muke,123Barak,Ehud,175BarnardCollege,
55,238"BeAllThatYouCan
Be",185-87Bealv.Doe,138Beatty,Warren,63Beauvoir,Simone
de,66,
69,196
Behr,Peter,55Beijing,U.N.Fourth
WorldConferenceon
Womenin,147—49Belsky,Jay,22,226,243Bennett,William,230
Berry,Ryan,188Bias(Goldberg),83Bible,66Biden,Joe,156bin
Laden,Osama,39Birdseye,Clarence,92Bizet,Georges,14-16
BlackHawkDown,39Bosnia,186Bowlby,John,223Boxer,
Barbara,153BoysandGirlsAre
Different,38"BoysJustWanttoHave
265
Guns",13
Brademas,John,204-5,2°6Bradley,Bill,33Brennan,WilliamJ.,Jr.,
128-29,J37
"BringBeijingHome",148Brothers,Joyce,xiii
Buchanan,Pat,155Buchwald,Art,52,54Bunch,Charlotte,104
Bush,Barbara,36Bush,GeorgeH.W.,154,
168
Bush,GeorgeW.,39"Busybodies8cCrybabies:What'sHappening
totheAmericanCharacter?",28Buyer,Steve,186
Caldwell,Taylor,197Califia,Pat,104California,57,91,102
CaliforniaStateUniversity,103,104CaptainsandKings
(Caldwell),197careers
choosing,195-98
daycareand,4,20-22
familyvs.,18
MommyTrackandsequential,227-29
motherhoodvs.,31,6163,83-84
Carmen(Bizet),14-16Carter,Jimmy,153,169,
204,213
Carter,Rosalynn,30TheCaseAgainstDivorce
(Medved),76CatholicUniversityLaw
School,107CatoInstitute,144CBS,35,183CBSEveningNews,
229
censorship
feminismand,9
musicand,7
pornographyand,217-20
softwareand,127
textbooksand,13CensorshipGuidelines,127"TheCEO'sSecond
Wife",24ChangingFamilies
(Aulette),79Charlene,7-9Chicago,111.,220ChicagoTribune,
xvii,3,
266
175-76ChildandFamily
ServicesBillof1975,
205-6
childcare.SeedaycareChildCareAction
Campaign,233childcaretaxcredit,216children
attachmenttheoryand,225-27
divorceand,25,47-48,
79
educationof,202—4
home-alone,84
latchkey,200-202,207
rightsof,xviii
"village"and,36Children'sDefenseFund,
244China
abortionin,152-53
daycareand,20
womenin,118chivalry,90,91,161
Christ,divinityof,xv
Cinderellacomplex,198-200
TheCinderellaComplex(Dowling),199
CivilRightsAct,136,145
CivilWar,64-66
Clifford,Tom,222
Clinton,Bill,156daycareand,244feministsand,34Ginsburgand,
137,140marriagetaxand,240militaryand,186treatmentofwomen
of.33-35.153-54U.N.Conventionon
theEliminationof
AllFormsof
Discrimination
AgainstWomen
and,151U.N.Treatyonthe
RightsoftheChild
and,244
Clinton,HillaryRodham"Cornerstoneforthe
267
Future"and,149asfeministheroine,
34-38feministideologyand,
J53
OnOurOwnand,79-80politicsofmeaning
and,30President'sInteragency
CouncilonWomen
and,147
ClosedHearts,ClosedMinds,79
CNN,32
Cohen,Bill,191
Cohen,Richard,9,62
colleges
feminismand,3masculinityin,40women'sstudiesin,102-4
ColumbiaUniversityLawSchool,139
combat.Seemilitary
CommissiononInternationalWomen'sYear(1977),136
CommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationAgainstWomen,153
CommunistParty,71
ComparableWorth,42,142equalpayforequalworkand,109—12
President'sInteragencyCouncilonWomenand,148
problemswith,112-17womenand,115-16
ComparableWorthbill,109-10
CompensationandEmployeeBenefitsSubcommittee,112
ComptrollerGeneraloftheUnitedStates,162
Connecticut,121
conscription.Seemilitary
ConstitutionalGovernmentinAmerica(Ginsburg),138
contraception,56,208
"ContractwithAmerican
Women",149Conway,JillKer,106Cooper,Gary,39"Cornerstone
forthe
Future",149
Crain'sChicagoBusiness,101CreatingaLife(Hewlett),
268
83
criminals,rightsof,34crybabies,28—30Currie,Betty,33,34
CuttingLoose:ThyWomen
WhoEndTheir
MarriagesDoSoWell
(Applewhite),79CypressSemiconductor,
150
DACOWITS.SeeDefenseAdvisoryCommitteeonWomeninthe
Services
Damocles,235
DaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution,xv
daycare
careersand,4,20—22corporationsand,49"ecology"of,226
educationand,202-7familyand,73-74,233feminismand,11,22325governmentand,10,19-20,49,124,204-7,229-34
mediaand,20,84,230parentsand,10politicsof,229—34
problemsin,22,49,242-44
societyand,48—49
SovietUnionand,229-30
taxcredit,216
universalfederal,30
women'srightsand,124DeathofaSalesman
(Miller),65DefenseAdvisory
CommitteeonWomen
intheServices
(DACOWITS),169,189,
190-92DefenseofMarriageAct,
34
DemocraticParty,34,81
Democrats,xv
"DesignerGenes",17
Detroit,Mich.,223
discriminationbusiness,6inemployment,42equalpayforequal
workand,99motherhoodand,215pregnancyand,163rapelaws
269
and,57reverse,42,130sex,42,121,163,181SocialSecurityand,95
againstwomen,151—53
divorce
childrenand,25,47-48,
79
ondemand,209ERAand,xixfamilyand,73feminismand,19,23435
moralneutralityand,76
no-fault,24,56,75,235
reformlawsfor,75
resultsof,56
serialmarriagesand,208
sexualrevolutionand,184
womenand,5,5-6,124TheDivorceRevolution
(Weitzman),235Dodd,Christopher,230,
233Dodd-KildeeABCbill,
230,233"DoestheNewWoman
ReallyWanttheNew
Man?",13
Dolan,MaryAnne,27-28Dole,Bob,61Dole,Elizabeth,36,61
DomesticTranquility
(Graglia),235,235-39domesticviolence.See
violenceDonahue,Phil,xvi,133,
210—11,233Donaldson,Sam,84Dowling,Colette,199Dukakis,
Michael,230Dynasty,23
EagleForum,xviEarhart,Amelia,196earlychildhoodeducation,202
"Earningsin1981ofMarried-CoupleFamililes",201
EastGermany,20Edelman,Marian
Wright,244Edison,Thomas,92education
daycareand,202-7
family,152
genderneutralityand,131,164
governmentand,121
270
sex,8
stereotyped,17EducationAmendments
of1972,104,132Elkind,David,203Emerson,ThomasI.,81,
178employment
discriminationin,42
equalopportunityin,53
governmentand,7
home-based,29England,91,226Enjoliperfume,51Enron,190
EqualCreditOpportunityAct,214EqualEmployment
OpportunityActof
1972,98,99EqualEmployment
OpportunityCommission,98,99,136equalityprinciple,138-39equal
payforequalwork
affirmativeactionforwomenand,136
ComparableWorthand,no
feminismand,42
meaningof,98-102militaryand,162-63motherhoodand,99sex
discriminationand,
99
womenand,98—102EqualRightsAmendment(ERA),138
abortionand,121-22
defeatof,xiv,xv-xvii,119-23
effectsof,xix
genderneutralityand,178
Houseand,xvi
Illinoisdemonstrationfor,143
IWYand,30
lobbyingfor,30
Schlaflyand,xix
Senateand,xviERA.SeeEqualRights
AmendmentERAmerica,30Ervin,SamJ.,Jr.,122Ewing,Maria,
14
"TheFadingofaMovement",32
FairfaxCounty,Va.,149
271
Faludi,Susan,79
family
asanachronism,195,208careersvs.,18commitmentto,16daycare
and,73-74,233divorceand,73feminismand,47marriagetaxand,
241
reinventing,72-74societyand,89supporting,7traditional,74,
97,139two-income,10violenceand,221—23womenand,89—90
FamilyWeekly,197
Farrell,WarrenT,234
FatalAttraction,26,62
fathers
domesticationof,51wives'careersand,10—nSeealsohusbands;
men
FederalDaycareWeek,230
federalgovernment.Seegovernment
Feigen-Fasteau,Brenda,
138
Feinstein,Dianne,36Felsenthal,Carol,xviifemales.Seewomen
feminine,feminismvs.,
4-5,124TheFeminineMystique
(Friedan),3feminism
affirmativeactionfor
womenand,134-36censorshipand,9Cinderellacomplex
and,198-200Clintonand,34daycareand,n,223-25defectsof,26
—28,140—42definitionof,30-31DemocraticPartyand,
81divorceand,19,234-35
feminism(cont.)aseconomicmovement,4
equalpayforequalworkand,42,98familyand,47femininevs.,4—
5,124GlassCeilingand,28goalsof,133-34,H7-49humannature
and,28,
31,43,140
identitycrisisin,30-32ideologyof,4,31languageand,126-27legal
theoriesof,144-47legislativeagendaof,54macho,77-78,81-82
272
marriageand,47,66,
78-81,141mediaand,xiv,xix,3,
34,42,77
MommyTrackand,31moralneutralityand,
164-65motherhoodand,52,
98,141,229mythologyof,26-28naturalgendertraits
and,12-14notionsaboutmenof,
66-70
aspasse,3-5rapeand,22,57-59"reasonableman"
standard,144-47rolemodelsfor,31sexismand,24sexual
harassmentand,
154sexualliberationand,56
stereotypesand,9terrorismand,38—41truthand,142—44
victimologyand,134wivesand,43,97,235-39womenand,xiii,4,
63,161
FeministExpo'96,149
feminizationofmen,145ofmilitary,166-68
Ferraro,Geraldine,27,36,50,206
Fiorina,Carleton,41
FirstAmendment,104,217,218,219
"TheFirstAmendmentCoalition",219
Fleming,AnneTaylor,141
Flinn,Kelly,182-85
flirting,sexualrevolutionand,16-17
Florida,137
Flowers,Gennifer,35
Ford,Betty,30
Ford,Henry,92
Fortunemagazine,24,41,
151
Fountainhead(Rand),23
FourteenthAmendment,120
FourteenthNationalConferenceonWomenandtheLaw,107-9
fraternization,182—83
273
freelove
inventionof,54-56Victorianmoralityand,69
FrenchRevolution,65
Freund,Paul,122
Friedan,Bettydaycareand,229feminismand,3,66genderneutrality
and,
60
marriageand,195asrolemodel,106
Frontierov.Richardson,128,137
G.I.Jane,81-82GayTaskForce,30genderdifferences,131-32
genderequality,81,149genderidentity,blurring
of,12-13genderneutrality
educationand,131,163
ERAand,178
militaryand,163-65,169,181,187
SexBiasintheU.S.Codeand,140
societyand,60gendernorming,40,141,
174,187
Genera/Hospital,23GeneralMills,7GeorgeMasonLaw
School,107GeorgetownLawSchool,
107Gilder,George,24-26,
210-12,237,239Ginsburg,RuthBader,34,
81
feministworldviewof,136-40
rapelawsand,57
sexdiscriminationand,
42,145
VMIand,182Glamourmagazine,5GlassCeiling
affirmativeactionfor
womenand,134—36womeninworkforceand,28,41,42,142Glass
CeilingCommission,135God,210
Goldberg,Bernard,83-84Goldwater,Barry,xiv-xvGollancz,Victor,
69GoneWiththeWind
274
(GWTW),64-66Gorbachev,Mikhail,61government
abortionand,30affirmativeactionand,
29,42
daycareand,10,19-20,
49,124,204-7,229-34
domesticrelationsand,
155
educationand,121employmentand,7motherhoodand,214-16
powerof,155-57statesvs.,120-21,155-56Grace,Princess,198-200
Graglia,Carolyn,80,235—
39
Gramm,Wendy,36TheGravediggers(Schlafly
andWard),xvGrayandCompany,219GreatDepression,64
Greece,8
Greenberg,StanleyB.,
232Greer,Germaine,66,196,
23.7-38greetingcardindustry,1314
Grimke,Sarah,137Grizzuti-Harrison,
Barbara,105GrossDomesticProduct,
240
Guernica(Picasso),72Guess,Sam,204GulfWar,168,171,177
GWTW.SeeGoneWith
theWind
Haiti,186Hall,SirPeter,15Hancock,EllenM.,41Harper's
magazine,105Harrisv.McRae,121,138HarvardEducational
Review,35HarvardManagement
Review,31,227Hawaii,121,123healthcare,37HealthCareTask
Force
andWorkingGroup,37Helms,Jesse,xviiiHemingway,Ernest,xix,
68HeritageFoundation,240Hewlett,Sylvia,83-85Hewlett-Packard,
41HighNoon,39Hill,Anita,JJ,134,154-55Hite,Shere,59-61
Hitler,Adolf,161-62homemakers,fulltime,93-
275
97,J39,2I5,236-37,24iHonolulu,Hawaii,206HourofGold,
Hourof
Lead(Lindbergh),197HouseArmedServices
Committee,165HouseEducationandLaborSubcommittee,230
HouseMilitaryPersonnel
Subcommittee,186housewives.Seehome-makers;motherhood;
wives;womenHouston,Tex.,119,220HowardLawSchool,107
Howe,Elias,92Hubbell,Webster,37HudsonInstitute,240
Huffington,Arianna
Stassinopoulos,70-72humannature,feminism
and,28,31,43,140Hume,Ellen,80Hungary,20
Hunter,Brenda,200-201husbands
desirefor,3-5asoppressors,195supportof,21Hutchinson,Kay
Bailey,36
"I'veNeverBeenToMe"
(Charlene),7-9Ibsen,Henrik,xix,68Illinois,91,202Independent
Women's
Forum,80
Indianreservationsystem,35
IndividualRetirementAccounts(IRAS),125,216
IndustrialRevolution,6
"InfantDayCare:ACauseforConcern?"(Belsky),243
inflation,6,7
InstituteforAmericanValues,79
Intellectuals(Johnson),67,
7°InternationalWomen's
Year(IWY),30,136InternationalWomen's
YearConference,
Houston,119,165internet,xviiIran,161IRAs.SeeIndividual
RetirementAccountsIronCurtain,135Islamiclaw,25Israel,162
womenincombatand,
Jacksonville,Fla.,146
Jennings,Peter,19
Jerusalem,175
276
JobOpportunitiesfor
WomenintheMilitary:ProgressandProblems,162
Johnson,LadyBird,30
Johnson,Paul,66-67,7°
Johnsonv.TransportationAgency,SantaClaraCounty,California,
128
Jones,Paula,34,153-55
Jong,Erica,34
JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation,21
Jung,Andrea,41
JusticeDepartment,181,182
Kahnv.Shevin,137Keaton,Diane,62Kelly,Grace,198-200
Kennedy,Ted,77,80,133,
155
Kerr,Carmen,104KeyReporter,137"KidsAsPolitics:AProposed
CampaignStrategyforDemocraticCandidatesin
latchkeychildren,200
Islamic,25
sexualharassmentand,xix
womenand,107-9LeClair,Linda,55left-handedpersons,
discriminationof,12lesbianism
feminismand,4
marriageand,79
women'sstudiesand,
103,107-09LesbianismandtheWomen's
Movement(Myronand
Bunch),104
"Let'sStopTurningRapistsintoHeroes",23Levy,Margaret,21-22
Lewinsky,Monica,33,34,
38,154
Lewis,Ann,34
"LiberationandtheSelf-MaidWoman",52
Lincoln,Abraham,xvi
277
Lindbergh,AnneMorrow,106,197
Lister,Sara,192
Longman,Phillip,212
LosAngeles,Cali.,38-39,220
LosAngelesHerald-Examiner,27
LouisHarrisandAssociates,7
Louisiana,91
"LoveandSuccess:CanWeHaveItAll?",5
Lowey,Nita,143
Luddtke,Melissa,79-80
MacArthur,Douglas,166-67,168
Mackinnon,Catharine,145,146
MacNeil-LehrerNewsHour,229
Makerv.Roe,138
Main,Mary,225
males.Seemen
MannAct,139
marriage
ascareerchoice,195cohabitationwithout,
208
commitmentto,16egalitarian,49-50feminismand,47,66,
78-81,141lesbianismand,79aslifetimecommitment,209menand,
49militaryand,185pornographyand,221same-sex,123serial,19,
76,208taxreformand,239-42textbooksand,79traditional,43,5455womenand,5-6,78-79
Marx,Karl,xix,68
Mary,MotherofGod,90
Massachusetts,121
McCaffery,Edward,240
McGraw-Hill,13
media
abortionand,56affirmativeactionand,
29daycareand,20,84,230
278
familyand,73feminismand,xiv,xix,
3,32,34,42,77IWYand,30pornographyand,218"village"and,
242womeninworkforce
and,20
Medved,Diane,76Megeneration,54,76Meir,Golda,133,196men
ComparableWorth
and,112differencesbetween
womenand,38-41,
131—32,162—64,J^9feministnotionsabout,
66-70
feminizationof,145gunsand,13marriageand,49,210-12
oppressivenessof,4,ijpornographyand,221relationshipsof,15
serialmarriagesand,76sexualdesiresand,80-81sexualrevolution
and,
24
"shortage"of,17stereotypesof,82take-homepayof,6
understanding,210-12aswimps,59—61wivesandcareersof,53
women'sproblemsand,
59-61
inworkforce,5-6MenandMarriage
(Gilder),24,210-12,239
MeritorSavingsBankv.
Vinson,145
MervGriffinShow,xiiiMetropolitanOpera,14Metzenbaum,
Howard,155MexicoCity,Mexico,119Miami,Fla.,220Michigan
LawSchool,145Midler,Bette,56military
adulteryin,182-83advertisingfor,186-87affirmativeactionin,
73-74
crisisin,185-88equalpayforequalworkand,162-63ERAand,xix,
120feminizationof,39-40,
166-68,185genderneutralityand,
163-65,169,187marriageand,185moralityand,185,188
motherhoodin,168-70pregnancyand,163,
279
170-72
purposeof,165,187rapein,163sexualintegrationof,
152,182
womenin,39-40,42,81-82,120,161-82Miller,Arthur,65Millett,
Kate,66,196Minnesota,204MinotAirForceBase,188Mitchell,
Margaret,65MommyTrack,84
controversyabout,227
Mommytrack(cont.)desirefor,29feminismand,31sequential
careersand,
227—29Mondale,Walter,50,126,
204,204—5,2°6Mondale-BrademasChildDevelopmentBill,204-5,
2O7>23XMonicagate,33-34monogamy,8MonteCarlo,8Moore,
Demi,81Moore,Raymond,204Morgan,Robin,133Morris,Dick,
33,183Moskos,Charles,190motherhood
ascareerchoice,195careersvs.,31,61-63,
83-84,99desirefor,3
discriminationand,215equalpayforequal
workand,99feminismand,52,98,
141,229
governmentand,214-16incometaxlawand,
215-16
inmilitary,168-70pressuregroups
against,9rightsof,54stay-at-home,8,10,74asvocation,105See
alsowomenMotherhoodDeferred(Fleming),141
MotownRecords,7,9Ms.magazine,16-18,233Muskie,Edmund
S.,153Muslimcountries,118Myron,Nancy,104
N.M.RightChoose/
NARALv.Johnson,
123Nairobi,U.N.Women's
Conferencein,117—19NationalAbortionRights
League,155NationalAssociationof
Broadcasters,116-17NationalCrimeSurvey,
222NationalEducation
280
Association,149NationalEducation
Association(NEA),205NationalEnquirer,23NationalInstituteon
ChildHealthand
HumanDevelopment,
242NationalInstitutesof
Health,242NationalOrganization
forWomen(NOW),30,
61,77,124,149,155,178,
233
NationalReview,240NationalWomen's
PoliticalCaucus,233NavySEALS,81-82NavyTailhook
convention(1991),156NBC,48,229
NEA.SeeNational
EducationAssociation
Nelson,Harriet,52
NewMan,13,60
NewMexico,123
NewMorality,55
NewportNews(Virginia)DailyPress-TimesHerald,222
newspapers
daycareand,20feministidentitycrisis
and,31
pornographyand,218women'ssectionsof,54womeninworkforce
and,20Seealsomedia
Newsweek,30,72-73
NewWoman,13
NewYorkCity,12,14,220,233,38
NewYorker,32
NewYorkTimes,238adulteryinmilitary
and,184advertisingand
militaryand,186Carmenreviewof,15ChildandFamilyServices
Billand,205-6
CreatingaLifeand,84crybabiesand,29post-feministeraand,
228womenexecutivesand,
281
41
womeninmilitaryand,166,174
Women,WorkandBabiesand,48
NewYorkTimesMagazine,3,18,27,84
NewYorkUniversity,234
Nicaragua,20
NineteenthAmendment,129,142
Nixon,Richard,205
no-faultdivorce,24,56,
75,235
NorthDakota,188
NorthwesternUniversity,190
NOW.SeeNationalOrganizationforWomen
NOWLegalDefense&EducationFund,233
obscenity,9
OfWomenandMen,75
OnOurOwn:UnmarriedMotherhoodinAmerica(Luddtke),79-80
O'Neill,June,115
opera,14-16
Oprah,84
Orwell,George,69,135
Oui,59
OxfordEnglishDictionary,195
Paine,Thomas,xviiPalmer,DaveR.,166Panama,190Papini,
Giovanni,71parents
daycareand,10
definitionof,205single,48,79,209
Pauley,Jane,48,49-50
PBS,230
Pendleton,Clarence,116
PennsylvaniaState
University,22,226,243
PhyllisSchlafty:The
282
SweetheartoftheSilentMajority(Felsenthal),xvii
PhyllisSchlaftyReport,93
Picasso:CreatorandDestroyer(Huffington),70
Picasso,Pablo,xix,70-72
Playboy,59
Poelkerv.Doe,138
politics
ofdaycare,229-34ofmeaning,31,37sexual,106womenin,63
polygamy,25
pornography
censorshipand,217-20marriageand,221menand,221sexand,8
victimsof,217-21
ThePowerofthePositiveWoman(Schlafly),xvii
pregnancy
corporationsand,4militaryand,163,170-72
President'sInteragencyCouncilonWomen,147
PresidentialCommissionontheAssignmentofWomenintheArmed
Forces,180,187
pro-familymovement,31ProvidenceJournal,32PsychologyToday,
5Purnick,Joyce,238
RadcliffeQuarterly,78
Ralston,Joseph,184
Rand,Ayn,23
rape,57-59
feminismand,22glorificationof,22-24inmilitary,163sexand,22,
24spousal,156statutory,57televisionand,57-59
Rather,Dan,229
Reagan,Maureen,119
Reagan,Nancy,106
Reagan,Ronald,xv,126affirmativeactionand,
130
daycareand,231educationand,107familyand,221women'svote
and,124
"RealMenDon'tEarnLessThanTheirWives",5
283
"reasonableman"standard,144-47
RecentGenderIntegrationintheMilitary:EffectsUponReadiness,
CohesionandMorale,190
Reno,Janet,182
RepublicanParty
Goldwaterand,xiv-xvSchlaflyand,xiv-xv
Reynolds,Alan,240RhodeIsland,32Ricardo,Lucy,52Richards,
Ann,82Ride,Sally,55rights
ofchildren,xviii
civil,34
ofcriminals,34
independencyrelationships,35
ofmothers,54
ofstates,153
ofwives,54
ofwomen,xv,34,63,
89-93,124,137RobertHalfemployment
agency,31
Rodgers.T.J.,150-51Roev.Wade,121,137Roger,Will,52
Rohwer,William,203RollingStones,xiiiRoosevelt,FranklinD.,64
Rostkerv.Goldberg,120,178Rousseau,Jean-Jacques,67Rumania,
20Rumsfeld,Donald,191Russell,Bertrand,69Ryan'sHope,23
SALT.SeeStrategicArmsLimitationsTreaty
same-sexmarriages,123
Sapphistry:TheBookofLesbianSexuality(Califia),104
Sartre,Jean-Paul,xix,69
SaudiArabia,171
Schlafly,Phyllis
accomplishmentsof,
xiii—xiv
biographyof,xviieducationof,xivERAand,xv-xvii,xixfeminism
and,xiii,xv,
xix-xx
284
foreignpolicyand,xvinfluenceof,xvii—xixissuestakenonby,
xviii-xix
militaryaffairsand,xvnationalanthemof,7-9nationaldefenseand,
xvaspamphleteer,xviiRepublicanPartyand,xiv-xv
SchoolFacilitiesChildCareAct,206-7
Schroeder,Patriciacareer-motherhooddilemmaand,227daycareand,
229presidentialcampaign
of,61SchoolFacilitiesChild
CareActand,206women'svoteand,143womeninmilitaryand,
82,133,182
Schwartz,Felice,31,227
Scott,Ridley,81
TheSecondSex(Beauvoir),66
SenateLaborandHumanResourcesSubcommittee,230
September11,38,39
serialmarriages,19,76,208
SesameStreet,13,230
Seville,Spain,15
sex
premarital,208rapeand,22,24teenagersand,8
SexBiasintheU.S.Code(Ginsburg),42,57,138-40
SexForWomenWhoWanttoHaveFunandLovingRelationships
WithEquals(Km),104
sexism
feminismand,24softwareand,126-27textbooksand,12-13sexual
harassmentfeminismand,154lawand,xix
sexualliberationfeminismand,56"I'veNeverBeenToMe"and,8-9
sexualrevolutiondiseaseand,56effectsof,18,184-85,
208
flirtingand,16-17menand,24permanenceof,20victimsof,18-20
Shalala,Donna,34,36,147
Shelley,PercyBysshe,67-68
SiliconValley,149-50
SistersofSt.Francis,149
285
60Minutes,35,84,183
slavery,35
Smeal,Eleanor,124,149,
233
SmithCollege,105-7soapoperas,rapeand,22—
24SocialSecurity
dependentwife'sbenefitof,54
restructuring,95
sexdiscriminationand,
95womenand,93—97
SocialSecurityandtheChangingRolesofMenandWomen,95
socialserviceprofessionals,232-33
society
androgynous,38,181daycareand,48-49familyand,89genderneutral,17genderneutralityand,
60
oppressivenessof,6restructuring,43
software,sexist,126—27
Somalia,39,186,246
SourceLibraryinDarien,xv-xvi
SovietUnion,190
daycareand,20,229-30Picassoand,71U.S.militaryand,xv
womenin,118,162
SpanishCivilWar,68
Spock,Benjamin,63,226
Springfield,111.,143
Sroufe,Alan,225
St.Louis,Mo.,xiv
StanfordUniversity,19
Stapleton,Jean,xvi
"StarWars",17
StateDepartment,153
states
286
governmentvs.,155—56rightsof,153
Steinem,Gloriadaycareand,233feminismand,31,66IWYand,30
motherhoodand,196Ms.magazineand,16asrolemodel,106
womenasfirefightersand,39
stereotypes
feminismand,9
ofmen,82
sex-role,54,57,163-64
Stossel,John,38
StrategicArmsLimitationsTreaty(SALT),XV
submarines,womenon,189-90
SupremeCourt
abortionand,34,137-38affirmativeactionfor
womenand,128-29ERAand,120rapeand,57violenceagainst
womenand,155-57women'srightsand,137womeninmilitaryand,
178-79,182
Sweden,85
TavistockClinic,223
taxation
effectof,6
marriageand,239-42
motherhoodand,215—16
supportingfamilyand,7
television
adulteryon,55-56
advertisingon,50-52
familyand,73
obscenityon,9
pornographyand,218
rapeand,22-24,57~59
sexand,8
violenceon,9TenCommandments,90,
210terrorism,feminismand,
38-41Texas,91textbooks
287
censorshipand,13
marriageand,79
obscenityin,9
sexismin,12-13
violencein,9
forwomen'sstudies,104Thatcher,Margaret,xiii,63Thelmaand
Louise,JJ,81Thomas,Clarence,77,
134,155
Thomas,Mario,xvi,55Timemagazine,84daycareand,30Fatal
Attractionand,62feministidentitycrisis
and,31,32menandproblem'sof,
60menandwomen's
problemsand,59
Timemagazine(cont.)PrincessGraceand,198womenasvictims
and,
77
womenexecutivesand,
41-42Titanic,41TitleIX,40,104TitleVII,145,154Tocqueville,
Alexisde,
197-98
TodayShow,229Toffler,Patrick,173-74Tolstoy,Leo,68
Townsend,Kathleen
Kennedy,80trophywives,24-26TuftsUniversity,203TVGuide,
aa
U.N.ConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscrimination
AgainstWomen,148,151
U.N.DecadeforWomen,119
U.N.DevelopmentFundforWomen,149
U.N.FourthWorldConferenceonWomen,Beijing,147—
49
U.N.TreatyonDiscriminationAgainstWomen,151-53
U.N.TreatyontheRightsoftheChild,xviii,244-46
U.N.Women'sConferenceinNairobi,117—19
288
UnitedAirlines,51
UnitedNations,63
UnitedStates,8daycareand,11economicsystemof,6foreignpolicy
of,xvIndustrialRevolution
and,6menin,118militaryof,xvnationalsecurityof,164astwoclasssociety,
209-10
U.N.TreatyontheRightsoftheChildand,246womenin,89-93
U.S.ArmedServices,39,162
U.S.CensusBureau,201,211
U.S.CommissiononCivilRights,57,138
U.S.Constitution,118,137
U.S.HouseWaysandMeansCommittee,97
U.S.SenateCommitteeonLaborandHumanResources,102
UnitedStatesv.Morrison,
I5S.156-57
universities.SeecollegesUniversityofCalifornia,
203,225UniversityofLondon,
243-44UniversityofMinnesota,
225
UniversityofSouthern
California,240UniversityofTexas,37UniversityofVirginia,225
USAToday,63
VAWA.SeeViolence
AgainstWomenActvictimology,28-30,76-78,
84,134,145-46Victoria,Queen,166VietnamWar,55,211"village",
36,242—44violence
domestic,148,221-23
familyand,221-23
rapeand,22
ontelevision,9
intextbooks,9
womenand,155-57,222ViolenceAgainstWomen
Act(VAWA),xix,148,
289
155-57
VirginiaMilitary
Institute(VMI),womenin,40,133,173-74,180-82
virginity,19
VMI.SeeVirginiaMilitaryInstitute
"VoicesFromthePost-FeministGeneration",3
Wagner,Richard,238WallStreetJournal,4,22,
51,100—101,141Walters,Barbara
daycareand,10-n
serialmarriagesand,
75-76
Ward,Chester,xvWaroftheRoses,74-76Washington,no
Washington,D.C,149,
220,219WashingtonPost,9,13,62,
228WashingtonUniversity
LawSchool,xivWayne,John,39WealthandPoverty
(Gilder),210Weitzman,Lenore,235WellesleyCollege,36West
Point,61,166-67"WhatDoWomen
Want?—Feminismand
itsFuture"(GrizzutiHarrison),105WhenMomHasToWork,10WhenSheSaysNo,
57WhereHaveAllThe
MothersGone?
(Hunter),200WhiteHouseConference
onChildren(1970),
205,231WhyandHowWomenWill
ElecttheNextPresident
(Smeal),124"WhyFeminismFailed",
27widows
benefitsfor,120
ERAand,xix
SocialSecurityand,95Willey,Kathleen,34,154Wilson,Edmund,
69
290
Wilson,Heather,192Winnicott,Donald,226Wisconsin,115
WisconsinAssociationofManufacturers&.Commerce,115wives
benefitsfor,120career-orientedmen
and,53
dependent,95—97dignityof,195-96fathersandcareersof,
IO-II
feminismand,235-39rightsof,54rolesof,53SocialSecurityand,
94-96
stay-at-home,43trophy,24-26SeealsowomenWolfowitz,Paul,192
women
affirmativeactionfor,6,29,124,128-30,134-36ComparableWorth
and,112,115-16differencesbetweenmenand,38-41,131-32,16264,!<>9discriminationagainst,
I5I-53
educationalopportunityfor,40
emancipationof,4,5—
7-69
equalpayforequalworkand,98-102
ERAand,119-20familyand,89-90feminismand,xiii,4infire
departments,
38-39
fulfillmentof,4,5,75goalsof,196lawand,107-9marriageand,7879menandproblem'sof,
59-61inmilitary,39—40,42,
81-82,120,161-82mistreatmentof,4,3334
inpolitics,63rightsof,xv,34,63,8993.124,137"second-classstatus"
of,195
serialmarriagesand,76sexualdesiresand,80—81sexualityof,59
SocialSecurityand,
93-97
stereotypesof,6onsubmarines,189-90televisionadvertising
291
and,50-52inU.S.,89-93asvictims,32,JJviolenceand,155-57,
222votesof,123-26,142-44inworkforce,5—7,10—
11,19-20,91-92,98100,208
SeealsomotherhoodWomen'sEnvironmentandDevelopment
Organization,149
women'sliberation
movement.See
feminismWomen'sPolitical
Caucus,30Women'sQuarterly,80women'sstudies,102-4,
107-09
women'svote,123-26"Women:TheRoad
Ahead",31WomenandLove:A
CulturalRevolutionin
Progress(Hite),59
Women,WorkandBabies,4:WorkingGirl,26-28WorkingWoman,
13
WorldPeaceCongress(1949),72
WorldWar1,6
WorldWar11,71,162,175,211
Wright,Benjamin,xiv
Wynette,Tammy,35
YaleLawJournal,xvi,81,122,178
YaleLawSchool,81,134,
178YaleUniversityBush
CenterforChild
Development,231"TheYearofthe
Woman",31Yellowstone,iyiYugoslavia,186
Zigler,EdwardR,231-32Zigo,Gayla,183Zigo,Marc,184
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
PhyllisSchlaflywasnamedoneoftheonehundredmostimportant
292
womenofthetwentiethcenturybytheLadies'HomeJournal.Sheis
America'smostarticulateandsuccessfulopponentofradicalfeminism
andledthepro-familymovementtovictoryinaten-yearbattleagainst
theEqualRightsAmendment.Shehasbeenanationalleaderofthe
conservativemovementsince1964.
Mrs.Schlaflyistheauthororeditoroftwentybooksonsubjectsas
variedaspolitics(AChoiceNotanEcho),familyandfeminism(The
PowerofthePositiveWoman),nuclearstrategy{Kissingeronthe
Couch),education(ChildAbuseintheClassroom),childcare[Who
WillRocktheCradle?),andliteracy{FirstReaderandTurboReader).
Mrs.SchlaflyisalawyerandservedasamemberoftheCommission
ontheBicentennialoftheU.S.Constitution,1985-1991,appointedby
PresidentReagan.Shehastestifiedbeforemorethanfifty
congressionalandstatelegislativecommitteesonconstitutional,
education,strategicdefense,foreignpolicy,electronicprivacy,and
familyissues.APhiBetaKappagraduateofWashingtonUniversity,
shereceivedherJ.D.fromWashingtonUniversityLawSchooland
herMaster'sinGovernmentfromHarvardUniversity.
Mrs.Schlaflyisasyndicatedcolumnist,radiocommentator,has
writtenamonthlynewslettercalledThePhyllisSchlaflyReportsince
1967,haslecturedordebatedonmorethanfivehundredcollege
campuses,andhasappearedonnearlyeverynationaltelevisiontalk
show.Themotherofsixchildren,shewasthe1992IllinoisMother
oftheYear.
293