Redefining the “Childless Cat Lady”
“You’re SO going to be a lonely cat lady”, my brother would always tease me growing up. My brother’s favorite jibe was that I would end up a lonely cat lady. This stereotype seems to follow women, including myself, everywhere. J.D. Vance has made headlines for his controversial comments targeting childless women, derogatorily referring to not just them as "miserable childless cat ladies”, but referring to our Vice President and Presidential nominee Kamala Harris as well. Vance's rhetoric is not just an attack on individual women but a broader attempt to undermine the value and contributions of women who do not conform to traditional societal expectations.
16 year old Ashley with one of the neighborhood cats, Gigi
Growing up, I was often teased by my brother for my lack of interest in romantic relationships. Blank to him, not all of us have the luck of meeting our future partner in high school. While he was dating, I was more absorbed in politics, reading Jane Austin, and tinkering with robots.
To me, the notion of being a cat lady was never negative. I enthralled myself in a world where my favorite authors like Jane Austin preached female independence and artists like Taylor Swift were admired for their songwriting and talent, not how many children they had. Additionally, I adored my next-door neighbor, who owned seven cats. Her lifestyle seemed perfectly fulfilling, contrary to the disparaging stereotype J.D. Vance and society at large seemed to perpetuate.
Vance's comments came during a speech in which he criticized what he perceives as a societal decline tied to women choosing not to have children. By specifically targeting childless women and calling them "cat ladies," he reinforced a harmful stereotype that equates a woman's worth with her marital and maternal status. His jabs at Vice President Kamala Harris for not having children further underscored his belief that women's primary value lies in their ability to bear and raise children. This notion not only devalues the diverse paths women can take but also reinforces outdated gender norms. Vance’s comments suggest that women without children or traditional family structures are somehow less significant or impactful. This is a dangerous narrative that undermines the achievements and autonomy of women who choose different life paths.
Women gather at the Women’s March in Washington D.C. in 2019.
The stereotype of the "childless cat lady" has long been used to demean women who do not adhere to conventional gender roles. However, it is time to reclaim and mobilize this stereotype. The childless cat lady symbolizes independence, intelligence, and the freedom to live life on one's own terms. By embracing this identity, women can challenge the narrow definitions of success and fulfillment imposed by a patriarchal society. The insistence that women must marry and bear children to be considered valuable members of society is an outdated and harmful notion. Women, regardless of their marital or parental status, contribute significantly to society in myriad ways. From political leaders like Kamala Harris to activists, educators, and professionals across various fields, women are breaking barriers and redefining success.
By standing up against figures like J.D. Vance and his sexist remarks, feminists can highlight the importance of diverse female experiences and what it means to be a woman. It is essential for women to support and elect leaders who represent their values and experiences. This includes advocating for policies that support women’s rights, such as reproductive freedom, equal pay, and protections against gender-based violence. For many women, the journey to self-empowerment involves rejecting outside pressures and embracing their true selves. This manifests itself in ways of motherhood, work, passions, and hobbies, but there is no single right way that defines womanhood. Let us stand together, empowered and united, to create a world where all women are valued and respected for who they are.
