Women, Now More Than Ever

This week I listened to an outstanding interview on NPR's Fresh Air, where Terri Gross spoke with journalist Helen Lewis about the rise of what Lewis calls "masculinism." The conversation was based on Lewis's Atlantic article, The Men Who Want Women To Be Quiet, and explored a movement that argues men should once again occupy a dominant position in society.

As always, Gross conducted a thoughtful and probing interview. She would be my dream interviewer. But the subject itself was deeply unsettling.

Lewis distinguishes masculinism from simple sexism or misogyny. It is not merely prejudice against women, she argues, but a political ideology that openly advocates male dominance as the proper order of society. Whether one agrees with every aspect of her analysis or not, the movement she describes deserves serious attention.

One of the most disturbing moments of the interview came when Lewis discussed statements made by far-right commentator Nick Fuentes, who argued that women are America's primary political enemy and should be imprisoned because they supposedly weaken society through empathy, education, and independence. Reading or hearing such rhetoric is difficult to comprehend, yet these ideas have found an audience.

History reminds us that prejudice rarely begins with violence. It begins by convincing people that one group is inherently less worthy than another. Misogyny has existed for centuries, and patriarchal interpretations of many religious and cultural traditions have often reinforced the belief that women should be subordinate to men. While tremendous progress has been made, these attitudes have hardly disappeared.

Fortunately, history also offers a different story.

Think of women like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates, whose philanthropy has transformed lives. Think of the women who led efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer, improving screening and helping save countless lives. Think of the women who lead businesses, serve in government, teach our children, care for our families, advance science, and strengthen our communities every day.

None of this diminishes the importance of men. Rather, it reminds us that societies flourish when women and men are treated as equal partners, each contributing their unique strengths.

At a moment when some voices argue that women should be quieter, less educated, or less influential, I find myself reaching the opposite conclusion.

What our society needs is not a return to male dominance but a renewed commitment to equality, mutual respect, and shared leadership. If we hope to build a more just, compassionate, and successful future, then women's voices are not a threat to be silenced.

They are essential to be heard. Now more than ever.

Author's Note: The ideas in this essay were inspired by a recent Fresh Air interview between Terri Gross and Helen Lewis discussing masculinism. Listening to that conversation led me to reflect on the indispensable role women play in building a more compassionate, just, and successful society. The episode can be found at https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/g-s1-129864/fresh-air-for-june-24-2026-the-rise-of-masculinism?showDate=2026-06-24