USA (Transatlantic Today) – JD Vance, the vice-presidential nominee for Donald Trump, has faced significant backlash for his comments about “childless cat ladies,” which he has criticized as a group that he believes contributes to societal instability. Despite the criticism, conservative women grappling with infertility are not uniformly condemning Vance or his running mate. They argue that while the comments may be troubling, there are more important issues that need attention.
Since Vance‘s remarks have come under scrutiny, including from Democrats and media figures, some conservative women dealing with infertility have expressed that his statements, while disheartening, are not influencing their voting decisions. Courtney Deady, a 34-year-old from Ohio who has faced infertility for nine years, noted that while the term “childless cat ladies” is upsetting, it is overshadowed by other critical issues. “There are more pressing concerns in the world that should be the focus,” she said, indicating her intent to vote for Trump.
Ashley Owings, a 34-year-old California resident who endured infertility before having a son, described Vance’s comments as a miscommunication rather than an attack on those dealing with infertility. Owings, a Republican, plans to support Trump, stating, “I don’t believe that Trump or Vance weaponized this; it’s more about communication errors.”
Political Polarization and Voting Behavior
According to TheGuardian, the disparity in attitudes towards family and children is deeply intertwined with political beliefs. According to Pew Research Center, a significant portion of Republicans believe that fewer children will negatively impact the U.S. future, in contrast to a smaller percentage of Democrats. This polarization may contribute to why conservative women might downplay Vance’s remarks. Johns Hopkins University political science professor Lilliana Mason suggests that partisan identities strongly influence how individuals perceive and rationalize such comments.
Vance’s Clarification and Continued Support
Vance recently clarified that his comments were aimed at criticizing what he views as an anti-family stance among Democrats, rather than disparaging individuals without children. Despite the controversy, some conservative women like Kaitlyn Heslep of North Dakota, who faced infertility, agree with Vance’s broader argument about societal contributions but remain focused on economic issues. Heslep plans to vote for Vance, stressing her desire for economic improvement.
Caroline Harries, president of the Christian infertility support group Moms in the Making, acknowledged that Vance’s empathy towards those struggling with infertility could have been impactful. However, she stated that she is not swayed by the comments. While Harries remains undecided on her presidential vote, she reflects on the importance of addressing such sensitive issues.
Overall, while Vance’s comments have sparked discussion, conservative women dealing with infertility are balancing their views on his statements with their broader political priorities.
