The hottest Gender Roles Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

A Modest Proposal: Compulsory Vasectomies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 78 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism Gender Roles Reproductive Rights Satire Social Commentary
  1. Women often feel pressure from their biological clocks, which affects their personal and career choices. They take measures like freezing eggs to manage this pressure.
  2. Unlike women, men can father children well into older age, creating a mismatch in timelines for starting families. This can lead to added stress and complications for women.
  3. Instead of focusing on ways to slow women's biological clocks, we could consider ideas that would balance these timelines, like making men more responsible for family planning.

Le ménage n'est pas moral

L'Atelier Galita • 219 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Gender Roles Mental health Self-Improvement Education
  1. Cleaning is a skill, not a moral failure. If you're not great at it, that just means you haven't learned yet.
  2. Many popular cleaning methods come from people who are already skilled, making it hard for beginners to learn. It's important to find someone who can explain things clearly.
  3. It's okay to delegate cleaning tasks to others. Just like you would hire someone for a ride or food delivery, you can get help with cleaning without feeling bad about it.

Jerky Men and Crazy Women

Fake Noûs • 631 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Roles Stereotypes Relationships Psychology Evolutionary Theory
  1. There are common stereotypes where men think women are crazy and women think men are jerks. These ideas come from perceptions that may or may not be realistic.
  2. Men might be seen as jerks because self-centered behavior helped them succeed in the past. This might be related to competition among men for reproductive opportunities.
  3. Women can be seen as crazy if they show strong emotions, especially negative ones. This is often linked to how women have been traditionally more vulnerable in relationships.
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The Happy Wife School

Sex and the State • 33 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Roles Marriage Responsibility Society Social norms
  1. Women often feel they have to take responsibility for their husband's happiness, but that's not fair or accurate. Each person should have their own role in a marriage.
  2. It's common to believe that if one person works hard enough, they can fix all problems in a relationship. But both partners are needed to make things work.
  3. No one can completely control their circumstances or the actions of others. It's important to understand that sometimes, things are beyond our control.

The Marriage Market

David Friedman’s Substack • 161 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Marriage Economics Social norms Gender Roles Legal issues
  1. Marriage can be viewed as a market where people offer certain terms to get a partner. If there are fewer options for one gender, the price or terms improve for the other gender.
  2. Having different qualities can change the 'price' of potential spouses. Attractive or compatible people often have better terms in marriage deals, similar to how desirable products are priced in a market.
  3. Legalizing practices like polygyny or polyandry can shift the demand for spouses, leading to better terms for some while making it tougher for others. It may seem confusing, but more choices can change how relationships are valued.

One simple trick to reverse the falling birth rate

Men Yell at Me • 693 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Roles Maternal health Social Issues
  1. More men need to help at home or families will struggle. When men share the load of caregiving, women can focus more on having kids.
  2. Policies that push women back home to raise children don’t really help birth rates. They often backfire and don't support families at all.
  3. True change starts with how people treat each other at home. Helping loved ones and sharing chores builds stronger communities and can lead to a better future.

Pretty White Moms in Their Pretty White Houses

Culture Study • 7258 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Motherhood Online Influence Gender Roles Consumer Culture
  1. Momfluencers monetize their maternal identity on social media through sponsored content, affiliate links, and brand partnerships.
  2. Momfluencer culture perpetuates reductive and exclusionary ideals of motherhood rooted in gender, race, and class.
  3. Aestheticized motherhood by Cool and Trad Moms offers an illusion of certainty and personhood through visual representation.

Mads Larsen on the Fertility Crisis

In My Tribe • 698 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Gender Roles Reproductive Rights Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Women today enjoy more independence and choices, which can lead to lower birth rates. As they become more selective in choosing partners, it impacts family size.
  2. Historical pair-bonding cultures ensured support for women and children, but this tradition is weakening as gender equality rises. The value of women's financial independence changes relationship dynamics.
  3. To encourage family growth, society may need to change how we view relationships and partnerships. Promoting earlier marriage and family life could help reverse declining birth rates.

The home project

Men Yell at Me • 648 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism Homeownership Gender Roles Resistance
  1. Many women are stepping into the role of homeowners, challenging traditional views about women's independence. Single women now own more homes than single men, which shows a shift in who controls their living spaces.
  2. Home can be a place of empowerment and resistance. Creating and renovating a home allows people to reshape their environments, making it a sanctuary that reflects their values and identities.
  3. Despite societal pressures to conform to traditional female roles, women are finding strength and safety in their personal space. Making a home their own can help women resist being pushed back into outdated domestic expectations.

Yes, male wages explain marriage declines

Sex and the State • 32 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Income Inequality Gender Roles Social norms
  1. Marriage rates are declining, especially among poorer men and women. Many women are opting for single motherhood instead.
  2. The reason for this decline isn't just about money, but about the quality of potential partners. Poorer men often don't meet the standards women have for marriage.
  3. Reports that say women are too wealthy to marry don't consider that most of the decline is happening in lower-income groups. Single motherhood needs more attention since it's a growing concern.

Bottom-half marriage is a completely different institution

Sex and the State • 84 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Marriage Gender Roles Societal norms Relationships Economic Factors
  1. Marriage offers different benefits for people in different social and economic classes. For many men, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, marriage may not feel like a good deal due to potential losses in a divorce.
  2. Women are more likely to initiate divorce, challenging the idea that men are always at a disadvantage in marriage. However, this doesn't capture the full picture of how marriage affects different groups.
  3. The experience of marriage varies greatly between individuals in the top and bottom halves of the economic spectrum, suggesting they are essentially different institutions with unique dynamics and implications.

Feminisation has consequences: I

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1120 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🚌 Education Evolutionary Psychology Gender Roles Social Behavior
  1. Human societies have presumptive sex roles that stem from transferring risks away from, and resources to, child-rearing.
  2. Men and women exhibit cognitive and physical dimorphisms due to different reproduction strategies.
  3. The evolution of pair-bonding in humans has shaped societal roles, emphasizing male dominance and the importance of male teams.

Women Control Sex. Now What?

Many Such Cases • 1159 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Roles Feminism Social Dynamics Cultural Commentary
  1. Women have a significant influence over when heterosexual sex happens. This power isn't new and many women are aware of it.
  2. The current decline in sexual activity isn't solely a problem caused by gender dynamics. It reflects a larger cultural issue that both men and women are navigating.
  3. Instead of blaming women for controlling sex, men should focus on improving themselves. Complaining about the situation won't change it; being a more appealing partner will.

Girlfood

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 235 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Trends Eating Habits Social norms Gender Roles Cooking
  1. The trend of 'girl dinner' involves young women making meals out of snacks, sparking discussions on social media.
  2. Having simple snack meals every night can feel tedious, especially when lacking a kitchen for an extended period.
  3. Eating styles can be influenced by gender dynamics, with certain meal types being associated more with specific social situations or relationships.

Ruling Out Wilt Chamberlain

Living Fossils • 10 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Gender Roles
  1. Relationships often have unseen rules, like games, and understanding these can help people navigate dating and social interactions better.
  2. When people cheat or cancel plans frequently, it leads to a game of trying to one-up each other, which can make dating harder and less trustworthy.
  3. Moral rules can be used to change the game, either making certain behaviors unacceptable or even creating laws that benefit some people over others.

"Baby It's Cold Outside" is Good, So Bite Me and Happy Holidays

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Music Art Traditions Gender Roles Entertainment
  1. 'Baby It's Cold Outside' is a complex song that some people think should be canceled because of its gender dynamics. It's okay to recognize that while still enjoying it as a piece of entertainment from a different time.
  2. The song reflects a different era, capturing the charm of its time. It’s catchy and has become a classic holiday tune, even though it doesn’t align with modern views on consent.
  3. Enjoying an old song doesn’t mean you approve of outdated behaviors. We can appreciate art for its qualities while being critical of its messages.

Why real men look like trash

Sex and the State • 23 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Relationships Gender Roles Socialization
  1. Men often come across as messy or emotionally unbalanced, especially on dating apps. This can make them less appealing to women.
  2. Basic skills like grooming and style are important for everyone, but men haven't always been taught to prioritize these things.
  3. Advice on self-improvement is easier for women to give to men, but gender dynamics make these conversations complex.

Revisiting Desire

Many Such Cases • 419 implied HN points • 22 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Sexuality Desire Subcultures Gender Roles
  1. The writer reflects on their relationship with the concept of desire, exploring how it influences writing. They see desire as a common thread in many topics.
  2. They discuss a subreddit called r/CensoredForBetas, where some men identify as 'beta' and choose to limit their access to sexual content. This reveals complex views on self-identity and masculinity.
  3. The writer hopes to create a personal space for casual exploration of these themes, using desire as a guiding principle in their writing.

Can we all just agree that it's weird and dumb that we still have girl jobs and boy jobs?

Sex and the State • 10 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Roles Workplace Society Economics Identity
  1. It's strange that we still categorize jobs as 'girl jobs' and 'boy jobs.' This doesn't reflect our modern society.
  2. Gender roles in jobs can lead to unfair treatment and inequality in the workplace. It's important to question these stereotypes.
  3. We should focus on people's skills and interests rather than their gender when it comes to jobs. Everyone deserves equal opportunities.

Rediscovering the Goddess

Polymathic Being • 65 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Feminism Gender Roles
  1. The current feminist movement often overlooks the importance of embracing the feminine aspect.
  2. Society tends to value masculine traits over feminine qualities, leading to a devaluation of the feminine divine.
  3. It is essential to reclaim and appreciate the unique power and contributions of the feminine, rather than imposing masculine standards on women.

Desire and Cinema

To Asra • 39 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Films Desire Psychoanalysis Surrealism Gender Roles
  1. Buñuel's final four films explore human desire, repression, and societal civility through surrealistic storytelling.
  2. Jacques Lacan's theories on desire and pleasure are intertwined with Buñuel's filmography, creating a deep exploration of human experience.
  3. The gender dynamics and complexities of desire depicted in Buñuel's films echo the themes discussed by Lacan, showing the universal struggle with desire and relationships.

Succession: Shiv Misunderstood

Kvetch • 55 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV shows Gender Roles Generational Dynamics Character analysis Social Commentary
  1. Shiv from Succession is often misunderstood by fans who compare her to characters like Skyler White.
  2. The show Succession doesn't portray its flawed protagonists as entirely dislikeable, instead revering them in their complexities.
  3. The series explores themes of power, succession, and generational dynamics through the lens of dysfunctional relationships and characters' sexual expressions.

March 8, 2024

Letters from an American • 13 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Women's Rights Abortion rights Gender Roles
  1. President Biden and Senator Britt presented contrasting views on women's rights during the State of the Union, emphasizing the ongoing tension around reproductive freedom and gender roles.
  2. The history of women's rights in the U.S. highlights the long-standing cultural and political backlash against gender equality, linked to issues such as abortion rights and gender roles.
  3. The portrayal of women in politics has evolved over time, with significant shifts in ideology and representation, seen notably in the contest between Trump and Clinton in 2016.

The Man Cave Up in the Sky

escape the algorithm • 39 implied HN points • 03 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Trends Social norms Gender Roles
  1. The concept of the 'man cave' is alive and well in Zillow listings, offering a nostalgic escape for many
  2. Man caves serve as a sanctuary for men to balance traditional masculine activities with vulnerability and tenderness
  3. The aspirational nature of man caves represents a longing for a future space where masculinity and domesticity can coexist harmoniously

Butler, Bros, and Beyond

Perambulations • 3 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Masculinity Gender Roles Science fiction Social norms
  1. Constructing a positive vision of masculinity with sci-fi can explore different gender roles and challenge societal expectations.
  2. A good vision of masculinity should focus on virtues like variance, but also consider how to implement them in the real world.
  3. Embracing a vision of masculinity that includes virtuous characteristics and the ability to navigate societal expectations can provide a meaningful path for many men.

Thoughts on pre-modern family economics

Tom Thought • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Economics History Gender Roles
  1. A single person in pre-modern times could grow more food than they needed, allowing for the support of non-working dependents as well.
  2. Labor was not typically the bottleneck for agricultural output in households, leading to significant labor surpluses.
  3. In pre-modern societies, women were responsible for a large portion of non-agricultural activities within the household, especially in manufacturing clothing.