Feminism's mistake was rejecting inherent gender differences, leading to abortion as a false solution to pregnancy
Source: "Opinion | ‘The Mistake of Feminism’ - The New York Times." February 6, 2026. www.nytimes.com
The Gist
The author argues that feminism went wrong when it tried to make women identical to men instead of just giving them equal rights. She believes this led to treating pregnancy as a problem to solve with abortion, when instead society should support pregnant women while recognizing that men and women are naturally different.
Conclusion
True support for women requires acknowledging inherent differences between men and women, rather than treating pregnancy as a burden to be eliminated through abortion
Premises
- Later waves of feminism wrongly demanded that women be identical to men rather than just having equal legal status
- The sexual revolution divorced sex from consequences, responsibility, and procreation, treating it as purely recreational
- Sex naturally creates new life and is inherently bonding and sacred, belonging properly within lifelong marriage commitment
- Pregnancy involves a new human life with its own rights and bodily autonomy that must be respected
- Society should provide safety nets and support for women in difficult pregnancy situations rather than offering abortion
- Public policy should encourage marriage as the proper context for sexual relationships and childrearing
Assumptions
- Men and women have inherent, fundamental differences that cannot and should not be eliminated
- Human life begins at conception and has inherent rights from that point
- Sex has an inherent sacred or moral dimension that transcends personal choice
- Marriage represents the ideal and natural context for sexual relationships
- Government has a legitimate role in supporting families and encouraging certain social arrangements
Analysis
Overall strength: Moderate. Argument type: Deductive.
Premise Strength
- Later waves of feminism wrongly demanded that women be identical to men rather than just having equal legal status (Weak) — Oversimplifies feminist positions and lacks evidence for this characterization
- The sexual revolution divorced sex from consequences, responsibility, and procreation, treating it as purely recreational (Moderate) — Captures a real cultural shift but overstates the universality of this view
- Sex naturally creates new life and is inherently bonding and sacred, belonging properly within lifelong marriage commitment (Weak) — Makes strong normative claims without justification beyond assertion
- Pregnancy involves a new human life with its own rights and bodily autonomy that must be respected (Moderate) — Clearly states a key pro-life position, though the rights claim is contested
- Society should provide safety nets and support for women in difficult pregnancy situations rather than offering abortion (Strong) — Offers constructive policy alternative that addresses practical concerns
- Public policy should encourage marriage as the proper context for sexual relationships and childrearing (Moderate) — Policy recommendation follows from premises but effectiveness is debatable
Potential Fallacies
- False Dilemma (Core premise about feminism's mistake) — Presents only two options: either women must be identical to men or accept traditional gender roles, ignoring middle ground positions
- Slippery Slope (Premise connecting sexual revolution to abortion) — Suggests that recreational view of sex inevitably leads to devaluing human life
- Appeal to Nature (Arguments about inherent gender differences and sex's 'natural' purpose) — Assumes that what is 'natural' or 'inherent' is necessarily good or right
Counterarguments
- Feminism characterization (High impact) — Modern feminism seeks equality of opportunity and choice, not identical outcomes or capabilities
- Sexual revolution premise (Medium impact) — Many people maintain responsible attitudes toward sex while supporting reproductive choice
- Marriage-centered approach (Medium impact) — Single parents and non-traditional families can successfully raise children
- Fetal rights premise (High impact) — Bodily autonomy of pregnant women may override fetal rights, especially early in pregnancy
Suggested Improvements
- Evidence for feminism characterization — Provide specific examples and citations of feminist positions being criticized Would strengthen the foundational premise about feminism's alleged mistake
- Address competing values — Acknowledge tension between fetal rights and women's autonomy more directly Would make the argument more nuanced and credible
- Empirical support — Include data on outcomes in societies with different approaches to these issues Would move beyond purely theoretical arguments to practical considerations
Scenario Tests
- A society with restricted abortion but widespread contraception access and comprehensive sex education (Challenges) — Might reduce unplanned pregnancies without requiring return to traditional sexual norms
- Countries with strong social support systems and legal abortion having higher birth rates (Challenges) — Suggests that support systems alone may not require abortion restrictions
- Successful single mothers in professional careers (Challenges) — Demonstrates that non-traditional family structures can work well
Coherence & Relevance
The argument has a clear logical structure connecting cultural critique to policy positions, though some premises rely heavily on contested moral and empirical claims
- Later waves of feminism wrongly demanded that women be identical to men (Strong) — Needs clearer connection to abortion specifically
- The sexual revolution divorced sex from consequences (Strong) — None significant
- Sex naturally creates new life and is inherently bonding and sacred (Moderate) — Sacred claim not clearly connected to policy conclusions
- Pregnancy involves a new human life with its own rights (Strong) — None significant
- Society should provide safety nets and support (Strong) — None significant
- Public policy should encourage marriage (Moderate) — Connection to abortion policy could be clearer