Smarticle - A Natalist and a Childless Cat Lady Walk Into a Bar

Today we talk about people that think a person should have a lot of kids. In other words, a natalist. But we start the conversation by talking about the unique tradition of blessing pets at the Feast of Saint Francis, highlighting the lively church service filled with barking dogs. The discussion then pivots to the hyper-politicization of family life in America, examining conservative views on traditional family structures and the socio-economic factors behind declining birth rates. The episode critiques patriarchal rhetoric from political figures like J.D. Vance and Donald Trump, focusing on the political and religious motivations behind promoting traditional gender roles and large families. We conclude the episode by arguing that such statements are often superficial and alienate women and non-traditional families.

00:00 Introduction and Banter

01:02 San Francisco's Unique Traditions

02:15 Communion Controversy

03:37 Heatwave in San Francisco

04:13 Hyperpolitization of the American Family

07:58 The Reality of Modern Society

09:00 Patriarchal Double Standards

10:00 The Christian Right and Traditional Values

11:15 JD Vance's Political Pandering

13:39 The Impact of Electoral Politics

14:04 Concluding Thoughts on Society and Politics

The hyper-politicization of the American family