Sigmas, Trad Wives, and Sexism: Has It Changed?

Speaker: Sophia Beach

• Member of the Socialist Working Party Central Committee
• Author of "Why You Should Be a Socialist"

Introduction

• Content about women is becoming hateful online, increasing popularity of lifestyle gurus who promote misogyny.
• Rise in right-wing, pro-life women promoting traditional roles.

Sigma Males

• Definition: Confident, financially secure men who live outside social hierarchies (opposite of alpha males).
• The term "sigma male" originated in a blog post in 2010 by Vox Day (Theodore Robert Beal).
• Ideology: Misogynistic, individualistic, linked with cryptocurrency, and self-improvement ("sigma grindset").
• Figures: Fictional characters like Tyler Durden, Travis Bickle, and Patrick Bateman are idols.

Trad Wives

• Definition: Women who live a 1950s domestic lifestyle.
• Characteristics: Focus on homemaking, rooted in Christian theology.
• Notable Figures: Hannah Neilan and Elina Kate Pettit.
• Contradiction: Many promote this lifestyle while actively working and profiting from it.

The Rise of Sexist Ideologies

• Traditional gender roles remain, but the way they are perceived in media has evolved.
• The rise in popularity of sexism reflects economic and political crises.

The Connection to Capitalism

• Sexist ideas are not arising in isolation but reflect capitalist structures.
• Family roles are central to capitalism by providing unpaid labor (raising children).
• Impact: Reinforces traditional roles and alienates individuals, creating conflict.

Online Influence

• Internet amplifies sexist ideas, allowing unmediated expression.
• Men are told traditional masculinity is endangered and blame women or movements like #MeToo.

Opposition to Sexism

• Need to challenge these ideas by understanding their roots.
• Not just an internet issue; deeply embedded in societal structures.
• The importance of revolutionary struggle in overcoming oppression.

Historical Context

• Examples like the Russian Revolution show the potential for societal transformation.
• Emphasizing communal solutions and rejecting traditional family roles.

Conclusion

• Sexism and traditional roles persist due to their integration with capitalist structures.
• Radical change requires challenging these structures and building a unified movement against oppression.