Planned Edits for "Concerned Women for America"

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  • discuss stances/action in debates regarding domestic violence, motherhood, and women's health
  • possibly discuss comparison/contrast with IWF?
  • cite
    • Righting Feminism: Conservative Women & American Politics by Ronnee Schreiber
    • Suburban Warriors: The Origins of the New American Right by Lisa McGirr
    • Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood by Kristin Luker
    • Core Issues: Pornography by Janet LaRue

***think about possible/relevant images to add - logo?

Content Discussed in Righting Feminism

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Domestic Violence

  • CWA's concern for domestic violence is deeply rooted in their support of traditional families and heterosexual relationships (socially conservative/Christian values)
  • many arguments made against pornography & feminism
    • CWA believes porn promotes desensitization to violence (and rape); lack of appreciation for traditional families/family values; encouragement of "unchecked sexuality and 'nontraditional' relationships" (64); "self-centered behavior" by women (60); "can lead to pedophilia" (67)
    • CWA claims the only way to save society (aka their idea of the "right" society is through the regulation of porn
    • CWA also believes that feminists encourage many of the issues associated with porn - argue that feminists are to "blame...for the debasement of public morality and the ascent of the sexual revolution" (60)
  • CWA also uses antifeminist rhetoric when discussing motherhood, claiming that women have instinctive maternal natures that make them inclined to prefer staying at home rather than working - CWA argues that feminists push the social acceptance of the "Supermom" which makes women think they have to do it all
    • aka CWA wants women to have the freedom to choose, but firmly believes most women would rather raise their children (at least while they're young/before they go to school)

Motherhood

  • believe women are born with an innate sense of motherhood
  • strongly support stay at home mothers
  • argue that feminist groups too strongly encourage women to abandon their "motherly instincts" to work outside of the home instead of raising their children
    • argue such rhetoric has permeated society creating social norms that make it difficult for women to feel comfortable choosing to be stay at home mothers