Singular Politics
Sometimes changing demographics bring with them changing politics. This would appear to be the case with the decline in marriage rates. As it turns out, there has been a steady rise in women who are dedicated to remaining single, and these women tend to be progressive in their politics. They are becoming something akin to the so-called soccer moms of previous presidential elections, and with a similar weight. As Joel Kotkin and Samuel J. Abrams report, they were probably decisive in suppressing GOP gains in the 2022 midterm elections.
The political horserace is not a regular topic of this blog, but the observed social trends underlying politics are worth noting—if for no other reason than simple curiosity. Or maybe to explore subtle background changes that vanish when viewed from a distance.
The phenomenon of the “single woke female” (SWF) demographic has been on the rise as marriage rates have declined over the past half century. We recently speculated as to how dating behavior has been shifting, with some discussion in the comments as to possible reasons. Abrams and Kotkin put forward others, having to do with issues they (and political consultants) believe place SWFs firmly among progressive Democrats: abortion rights, more generous government benefits, and more government responsibility for childcare. The latter two would seem to supplant the traditional male roles in a typical nuclear family.
A significant portion of the SWF demographic, it is said, is not seeking a traditional mate. The reasons for this are as varied as are people generally, but there may be some more generalizable forces at work. For one, if the dating market nowadays caters more to men’s preferences, it would make sense for some single women to opt out of that market altogether. This was one point Rob Henderson presented as well: if modern dating favors Dark Triad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy), more women may find it too off-putting. Thus, the dating scene would be dominated by Dark Triad types, making it especially uncomfortable for those who lack the traits. Dark Triad traits are substantially more common in men than women.
The Joyce Benenson interpretation (podcast link) might be that because women are more likely to compete through secret or hidden means, favoring a political party that argues for financial equality would be another way of attempting to secure some of the resources of others. Viewed through Benenson’s analytical frame, the egalitarian drive in women is an evolutionary adaptation.
I should probably point out that the generalizations from the human sciences are stated as flat assertions for the sake of brevity. This makes it sound as if they are immutable traits and insurmountable human weaknesses. But our species is adaptive, capable of suppressing natural impulses as we mature, whether at the group or individual level. Thus, the SWF demographic may contain no more than a plurality of women who share a common opinion, or no more than a simple majority. The full diversity of political views on any topic would be impossible to cover thoroughly, leaving only the options of overgeneralizing or saying nothing at all—which at times may be virtually indistinguishable from one another.
I guess I’m a SWF but I always thought I would be. I never thought I’d get married. I always knew I’d adopt some kids. Having any was always debatable. I’m not sure why. This is how I thought it would be from my pre teen years.
If I had to describe the mindset it would be greed I guess. I wanted things. Autonomy. Control. Money. Stability. From a young age I knew that husbands and children limited your options. So they were not things I desired. I added kids after I passed 30. I think I would have married if the right guy came along. But to be fair I didn’t spend much effort looking for him.
But as for politics I’ve always been liberal. In fact the older and richer I’ve gotten the MORE liberal I’ve become. Too many of my life successes have been based on amazing luck, knowing the right people and timing to be anything other than liberal I guess.
Halfway through the birthday surprise trip. We went to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Really hard to believe that I had never been there. It was fantastic! Staying at the grand, large, federalist style Otesaga Hotel, which sits at one end of Lake Otsega. Magnificent! Day 2 today. Can't wait.