Has Feminism Hurt Women?
Topic: Culture
Release Date: January 2, 2026
From the 19th Amendment to second-wave feminism, #MeToo, tradwives, and “girlboss” culture, the feminist movement has profoundly reshaped Western society in unprecedented ways. It promised greater freedom over work, sex, family, finances, and political power, helping dismantle legal discrimination, expand educational and professional opportunities, and challenge long-standing gender norms. But a growing chorus of critics—including many women—argue that modern feminism has also created unintended harms.
Has feminism expanded women’s choices, or created new constraints?
Supporters say it remains one of humanity’s great moral advances. Within fifty years itself, it’s helped women confront patriarchal systems, workplace inequality, gender-based violence, and reproductive injustice, and allowed women to live on their own terms. Critics counter that despite historic gains, many young women report rising loneliness, delayed family formation, and declining mental health. They argue that a culture that glorifies caring more about your career and independence can alienate women who want to prioritize family life, part-time work, or earlier marriage, leaving them feeling inadequate or out of step.
ARGUING YES:
Inez Stepman, Senior Policy and Legal Analyst at the Independent Women's Forum and Independent Women’s Law Center
ARGUING NO:
Wendy Walsh, Relationship Journalist; Host of ”The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show” on iHeart Radio’s KFI AM 640
GUEST MODERATOR
Xenia Wickett, Geopolitical strategist, moderator at Wickett Advisory, and Trustee of Transparency International UK, is the guest moderator.
This would be a much better debate if the "No" position had a credible advocate instead of a progressive omnicause type who denies the very premise of the debate by questioning the sex binary. Even if you didn't intend it that way, this is like a straw man debate, set up to make one side seem like a joke. It's unserious. Try harder.
I am sympathetic to several of Inez Stepman's criticisms of feminism, but I think they are rightfully overshadowed by feminism's progress since the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.
I disagree with a lot of what Wendy Walsh prescribes as necessary to further the female cause, but it's hard to undervalue owning property and participating in marketplaces when measuring equality.