Dworkin observes that the Right offers women a deal: safety, rules, love in exchange for obedience, sex, & childbearing. Women accept that bargain as the best bet against their real fears of violence and poverty.
Coming from Right-Winglandia, this rings true, describes the reality that raised me.
To me the bargain is self-worth, truth, and community. Patriarchy lies about women's abilities, motivations, and worth, and tries to keep us from supporting each other. Feminism makes me feel like my life is meaningful and based in reality, and like I have a community to both give to and take from.
Highlighting the strength of feminist communities (and organizing to make them better) could offer an alternative, especially to isolated women who are dependent on an abusive husband and overwhelmed by care responsibilities.
Refreshingly, Dworkin doesn't condescend to right-wing women, but is overly generous re: their agency in accepting the bargain. Especially of the way women seek power over others by becoming willing agents of patriarchy (e.g., Schlafley, Malia Shirley).
A comment from a woman in the audience got me thinking about "native" right-wing women (raised and isolated in conservative environments) vs. converts to the ideology. Do they warrant different understanding and different approaches?
I would say yes, as it seems like different rhetoric is required for people on the other end of the spectrum who are native left vs. "acquired" left (like us)
Comments
Coming from Right-Winglandia, this rings true, describes the reality that raised me.
But I left thinking about the bargain feminism can offer women as an alternative.
Rothfeld's review does a good job applying Dworkin's analysis to one modern example.
https://wapo.st/3DC5rlt