Remember Suzanne Venker? She’s the anti-feminist niece of anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly whose latest column on FoxNews.com urges women to get married and depend on men for money. Venker’s column was enthusiastically praised by the two male hosts of Fox & Friends this morning. Not so much by the female host.
As Fox News describes her, Venker is "the founder of Women for Men (WFM) , a news and opinion website committed to improving gender relations and to providing much-needed support for the American male." You may recall that last year, Venker wrote about the “war on men” for Fox. “Women aren’t women anymore,” she declared then. In a later column, Venker urged women to “surrender” to their femininity and let men be “in charge.”
Despite Venker’s self-assuredness, there are two vital things missing from her resumé: a degree and professional experience. That is, professional experience beyond making a career of proclaiming what’s best for men and women.
From Venker’s December 6th column:
Research shows that what women want more than anything else is not to work full-time and year-round but to live balanced lives.
...(W)hy not let husbands bring home the bulk of the bacon so women can have the balanced lives they seek? There’s no way to be a wife, a mother and a full-time employee and still create balance. But you can have balance by depending on a husband who works full-time and year-round.
I know what you’re going to say. Where are these husbands on whom women can depend? And you’re right: there are fewer men these days who seem eager to be primary breadwinners.
But ask yourself why, and I bet you know the answer.
Venker is so eager to suggest women and feminism are to blame for the lack of “primary breadwinning” men that she doesn’t bother to consider how this is simply not financially feasible for so many middle-class families. I didn’t see Venker say anything about improving wages so that more women could afford to stay home. Maybe she thinks that if women just act more dependent, men will magically start earning more?
The financial problems of middle-class couples didn’t arise during Venker’s appearance on Fox & Friends this morning. Co-host Clayton Morris said about her column, “Thank you for writing this piece… There’s not one thing in here I disagreed with.” Co-host Tucker Carlson said he was “confused” as to why Venker’s column would be “controversial.”
Co-host Anna Kooiman had fainter praise: “I do really respect this article that you’ve written,” she said.
Kooiman described herself as single and “very career oriented” and asked Venker for her advice “in just a couple of sentences.” David, at Crooks and Liars’ Video Café wrote up Venker’s response:
“My advice is, as the years go on and you find that you want, if you do, to get married and settle down, to understand time is going to be your greatest enemy,” Venker opined. “Not your husband, not men, not the government, not your employers. It’s time, there’s just not enough time in the day to do everything.”
“So if you learn to embrace that side of yourself that isn’t about work,” she continued. “In other words, the nurturing side, the motherhood, all of that. It’s okay to let your husband bring home that full-time income so you can have more of a balanced life.”
Kooiman said nothing more than “Thanks!” in reply.
Video below via Crooks and Liars.
By the way, I am a degree holding, part-time health care professional who chooses to forgo workplace advancement and to live without certain luxuries for a short number of years while I raise my young children. Because I love it, I am happier now, my children are happier now and my husband is happier now. Even with his extra hours put in at work.
When asked, the number one thing most children said they want more of: time with their family.
There is a new femininity movement and a lot of women and there husbands are joining it.
mlp ! – I have to repectfully disagree with your comment. Those fat, old white women that haven’t bathed since last Tuesday don’t watch Faux. They are glued to the talk shows, soaps and The Hallmark Channel.
or
Sure, the Taliban gunman was a little harsh in shooting Malala, but his heart was in the right place.
Next Up: Apple Pie! Make it right the first time … or else!!!
Cost of living has increased, while most incomes have decreased due to stagnated wages.
