I was too young to remember the Murphy Brown episode though I vaguely remember my parents talking about it and watching it at the time. 1996 is the first election I truly remember well. The description of this episode made me tear up. nothing makes me feel more love for my kids than singing to them. Of my 3 best friends from college, 2 are child free and the JD Vance position that women who don’t give birth to kids are somehow less loving is complete bullshit. I am thankful for the kid free women in my friend group who care for my children and also give me perspective on a different life I could have chosen.
My eyes too welled up. It was at the “joy, fulfillment, self-realization - and love” line. And then heartache at the “outrage” line following. Beautifully crafted essay.
Lately I've been reading a book that's been on my TBR pile for literally more than 30 years: Susan Faludi's Backlash. There are aspects to the 1980s anti-feminist backlash that thankfully remain buried there, but it's been fascinating to watch JD Vance pull his narrative ("Ladies! Marry now before it's too late!") directly out of Good Housekeeping ca. 1987.
Love, LOVE this post. I remember the Murphy Brown ep fracas and I was just a young teen, but it def shaped my ideas about what it meant to be an "acceptable" woman while I was in my formative years.
Love how you connect all the dots from then to now, esp this: "Quayle attacked women for having kids but doing it “irresponsibly,” while J.D. Vance attacks women for not having kids. More specifically, beyond the cat ladies, he has attacked “miserable women” who “can’t have kids” and expressed his dismay at teachers who don’t have kids. What Quayle and Vance share is a belief in “family values” (read: patriarchal values). They are all about men. Why was Quayle so mad about Murphy Brown? She made patriarchs look optional."
Ty! I must have seen this ep, too, esp since it felt so familiar watching it now. I also know those “is she a tramp?” headlines must have seeped into my consciousness, if only because I’m sure my parents were talking about it. So interesting to think about how we might’ve absorbed all that stuff as kids, right?
Tracy this is SO GOOD. Such vital history to remember. And, as I say in the repost, I legit am crying because I seriously remember watching this with my mom as a kid. I was only 7 but I remember it so vividly because it was so impactful for me to see a single mom. <3
I was too young to remember the Murphy Brown episode though I vaguely remember my parents talking about it and watching it at the time. 1996 is the first election I truly remember well. The description of this episode made me tear up. nothing makes me feel more love for my kids than singing to them. Of my 3 best friends from college, 2 are child free and the JD Vance position that women who don’t give birth to kids are somehow less loving is complete bullshit. I am thankful for the kid free women in my friend group who care for my children and also give me perspective on a different life I could have chosen.
The way this ep made me completely collapse in tears! The ending is very well done.
My eyes too welled up. It was at the “joy, fulfillment, self-realization - and love” line. And then heartache at the “outrage” line following. Beautifully crafted essay.
Thank you! And sorry/you’re welcome for the tears. :)
Lately I've been reading a book that's been on my TBR pile for literally more than 30 years: Susan Faludi's Backlash. There are aspects to the 1980s anti-feminist backlash that thankfully remain buried there, but it's been fascinating to watch JD Vance pull his narrative ("Ladies! Marry now before it's too late!") directly out of Good Housekeeping ca. 1987.
Ooh, I need to revisit that one as well.
Love, LOVE this post. I remember the Murphy Brown ep fracas and I was just a young teen, but it def shaped my ideas about what it meant to be an "acceptable" woman while I was in my formative years.
Love how you connect all the dots from then to now, esp this: "Quayle attacked women for having kids but doing it “irresponsibly,” while J.D. Vance attacks women for not having kids. More specifically, beyond the cat ladies, he has attacked “miserable women” who “can’t have kids” and expressed his dismay at teachers who don’t have kids. What Quayle and Vance share is a belief in “family values” (read: patriarchal values). They are all about men. Why was Quayle so mad about Murphy Brown? She made patriarchs look optional."
Yep!!
Ty! I must have seen this ep, too, esp since it felt so familiar watching it now. I also know those “is she a tramp?” headlines must have seeped into my consciousness, if only because I’m sure my parents were talking about it. So interesting to think about how we might’ve absorbed all that stuff as kids, right?
Tracy this is SO GOOD. Such vital history to remember. And, as I say in the repost, I legit am crying because I seriously remember watching this with my mom as a kid. I was only 7 but I remember it so vividly because it was so impactful for me to see a single mom. <3
Thank you! 😊 Also: SEVEN. Now I’m thinking of my kid, who is that age now, and what bits of pop culture will stick with him down the line.