The Paradox of Being a Conservative Woman in Politics
by Libby Krieger
In today’s society, it pays to adopt what appears to be cultural norms. You get ahead by checking intersectionality boxes.
Where do conservative women fit in today’s menu of identity politics? Checking that box can bring an onslaught from the left or kudos from the right.
It doesn’t hurt to be a woman in conservative circles, but it means being an instant outcast for many women. I’m not only conservative, I’m a traitor to what they perceive as the cause. There was a law firm that held a conference call in the wake of the Supreme Court Dobbs abortion decision. Many on the call expressed outrage and fear. One female partner expressed support for the decision, laying out the legal, not cultural, foundation. She was removed from the call and later fired from her job.
The rarified air of young conservative women was made clear in the midterms, where women ages 18-29 voted 72% Democrat in United States House races.
Being a conservative woman will make you stand out more just by the fact that few women fall into the politically right column – and even fewer are young women.
We’re not pawns, though. Many conservative women in politics have contributed tremendously to the conservative movement: Allie Beth Stuckey, Brett Cooper, Peggy Noonan, Nikki Haley, and many, many more. The real question isn’t about checking a box, but rather how a conservative woman can remain true to herself in a demanding political career without acting opposite to the values which she holds dear?
Demanding long term careers could serve as barriers to life as a devoted wife and mother. How can someone truly believe traditional families are the foundation of Western civilization, and put a career ahead of homemaking, child-rearing, and other Biblical roles of women? Maybe there’s a way to do both.
Or, are some women exceptions to the general principle
Take Margaret Thatcher, for instance. She achieved much personally and professionally, and the UK would look very different without the influence of the “Iron Lady.” Had Thatcher chosen just a fulfilling life as a mother and wife, the world would have missed an opportunity to benefit from her tremendous skill.
We’re all given different skills and we all have individual desires, but the undeniable truth is that God made women special. He created us with a unique design and role to carry out here on earth.
For any passionate conservative woman with ambitious goals, the easy answer would be to keep grinding your way up the ladder. With each step, though, we’re forced to confront ambition and question God’s design.
If we choose a career, are we selfishly putting ambition ahead of God's desire for us? If we chose a life at home, are we wasting God’s opportunity? These are real questions that demand thoughtful consideration and prayer. The answer is likely to be a little different for each of us.
Some may consider it weak to leave a career (not just politics) to be a wife and mother. But it actually may require much more restraint to take a step back from a field in which you’ve become well-versed, well-known, and well-respected.
There’s no “one size fits all” solution, which is why identity politics are so toxic in the first place. Remember that the next time you try to pigeonhole someone based on census data. We are all young or old, liberal or conservative, Christian or not – trying to figure it out.
I’m a young, conservative woman. I know what I believe and why I believe it. But I’m still navigating life pondering questions and considering alternatives. I don’t have the answers yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know if I figure it out.
