Pro-Family Conservatives First Must Be Pro-Men

Those conservatives who want to shape the nascent pro-family movement emerging on the right must be willing to embrace a controversial — and countercultural — reality: Healthy families require strong, stable, and secure men. That means Republicans interested in crafting pro-family policy must focus on the well-being of America’s boys and men.  

Democrats have been supporting policies that render fathers and men economically and socially irrelevant for decades. They’ve promoted the notion that families and societies flourish when women are empowered, even to the detriment of men. They recognize that women can be empowered. outnumber Men in college-educated jobs are a win for gender equity   

It’s not all progress, however, from the perspective of modern feminists. So-called access to abortion, a major plank in the women’s empowerment agenda, was dealt a serious blow when the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision struck down Roe v. Wade The issue of abortion was reintroduced to the States.  

This shift in the political landscape, along with the economic difficulties caused by Covid-19 shut downs and parental discontent at public schools, has allowed some conservatives to rebrand Republicans to be the party of families.   

Republicans in Congress were the initial supporters of this pivotal political change. The most recent iteration of Utah Sen. Mitt Romney’s proposed Family Security Act Based on their age, they would pay between $250 and $350 per month for each child. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s Provide for Life Act This would allow for an increase in the child tax credit, parental leave, expanded support for pro-life crisis pregnancies centers, and funding mentoring services for low-income moms. Conservative social commentators have made it clear that limited government Policies that promote support for families and policy goals that encourage them are compatible. 

These efforts are admirable, but the success of profamily policies depends on more than bipartisan support within Congress. To achieve the desired social and economic outcomes, conservatives need to understand that men and women are not interchangeable parts in the family life machinery.  

Recognizing Roles 

Throughout human history, men have been the providers. However, in recent decades this role has been shared by women. Still, no culture teaches that it’s a woman’s Responsibility to look after an adult male as well as the children they have. Women are attracted to men who make more than they do. One analysis U.S. Census data showed that women physicians were often married to men working in the same field. However, male doctors often marry nurses and teachers. 

This isn’t an argument against women working in the workplace. It’s an appeal for conservatives to recognize that disregarding the natural order in the name of “women’s empowerment,” Whether through cultural norms or public policy, it will be harder for Americans form strong and stable families.   

Conservative politicians and pundits should be comfortable discussing the needs of boys and men in terms of education and economic opportunity.  

We need to give more attention to their speeches and op-eds as well as podcast appearances.

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