MAGA Knows Best: The Way We Never Were (with Stephanie Coontz)

What if the family values we've been taught to cherish are nothing more than myths and, in fact, are dangerous? In this episode, historian and author of the book The Way We Never Were, Stephanie Coontz, helps us to understand the New Testament's radical interpretation of family, offering enlightening insights-and challenges the nostalgic allure of "traditional family values" often exploited in contemporary political discourse. We unmask the nostalgic fantasies fueling certain ideologies and question which eras are truly being glorified, exposing the social injustices that these idealized visions conveniently overlook.
We discuss how skewed narratives around gender roles have been manipulated throughout history to justify inequality, examining early societies, where shared responsibilities and egalitarian structures were the norm, contrasting them with the myths used to hinder marginalized communities today. And, we address head-on the danger posed by the MAGA movement, utilizing false nostalgic political rhetoric to lull us into a sense of longing for a bygone era that never existed, and its potential impact on reproductive rights, women's liberty, the trans community, and race policy. There are repercussions to weaponizing "traditional values" in today's debates - and on the future of American democracy.
Nostalgia isn't just a longing for the past-it's a tool that can be, is being, wielded by the Republican Party to maintain power and divert attention from current issues. In the episode, we explore the consequences of romanticizing a “simpler time,” particularly for women and the queer community, while highlighting the regressive agendas at play - the societal norms under threat, the democratic backsliding we face, and the paths forward to foster diverse and inclusive family structures. Stephanie's upcoming book, For Better and Worse, aims to further enlighten listeners about these pressing issues.
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Majestic Earth - Joystock