The Conservative White Feminine: A Sociopolitical Bargain with Patriarchy
Session Title
Feminism and Identity
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Political Science
Faculty Mentor
Maria Aysa-Lastra, Ph.D.
Abstract
White women are an important component to conservative culture that often goes overlooked, with media focus often falling upon the extreme right-wing white male. Their involvement in conservative politics and doctrine, however, may seem baffling to some. The sociopolitical choices of white, conservative women in their vote and ideology may superficially appear to be contrary to their objective interests. In the areas of reproductive rights, healthcare, gun control, and other such highly divisively partisan issues, white women stand to benefit from change-based policies which are considered liberal. Much like the anti-suffragettes who rallied against their own right to vote, contemporary conservative white women take action to oppose such policies. In doing so, these women choose to align themselves with their racial rather than gender identity. I argue that white women play a crucial role in the conservative sociopolitical culture, exemplified by the conservative backlash observed in and after the 2016 election, due to their desire to maintain the current power structures in which they hold racial privilege.
Course Assignment
SOCL 516 – Aysa-Lastra; PLSC 490 – Disney and Lipscomb
Start Date
12-4-2019 1:30 PM
The Conservative White Feminine: A Sociopolitical Bargain with Patriarchy
DIGS 220
White women are an important component to conservative culture that often goes overlooked, with media focus often falling upon the extreme right-wing white male. Their involvement in conservative politics and doctrine, however, may seem baffling to some. The sociopolitical choices of white, conservative women in their vote and ideology may superficially appear to be contrary to their objective interests. In the areas of reproductive rights, healthcare, gun control, and other such highly divisively partisan issues, white women stand to benefit from change-based policies which are considered liberal. Much like the anti-suffragettes who rallied against their own right to vote, contemporary conservative white women take action to oppose such policies. In doing so, these women choose to align themselves with their racial rather than gender identity. I argue that white women play a crucial role in the conservative sociopolitical culture, exemplified by the conservative backlash observed in and after the 2016 election, due to their desire to maintain the current power structures in which they hold racial privilege.
