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| Image from: scottbarrykaufman.com |
In the rush of political arguments, it’s easy to lose sight of the person. Not the “identity,” not the “group”—but the individual woman, the person with hopes, fears, and potential. The story often told on the left is one of oppression, systemic injustice, and external blame. It promises solidarity and safety but too often delivers something darker: a mindset trapped in resentment, fragile self-worth, and an endless search for someone else to blame.
Take a woman raised in a fiercely left-leaning society—where victimhood is a badge of honor, and accountability is a dirty word. She is told that her failures—whether economic hardship, unintended pregnancy, or emotional struggles—are the fault of men, of patriarchy, of society’s structures. When she doesn’t get a job, it’s because “men keep her out.” When she struggles financially, “men oppress women through wage gaps.” When she gets pregnant unintentionally, the answer isn’t personal responsibility—it’s that men abandoned their duties.
This pattern is more than political noise. It’s a psychological cage. Studies show that when individuals habitually externalize blame, they develop an external locus of control—the belief that their life outcomes are controlled by outside forces, not their own actions. Over time, this mindset leads to feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and depression, and erodes motivation to change circumstances (Rotter, 1966). Simply put, blaming others robs people of agency.
Case Study: Sweden’s Social Experiment and Its Fallout
Outside the US, Sweden offers a revealing example. Long hailed as a liberal utopia, Sweden embraced radical social policies emphasizing gender equality, individual freedom, and extensive welfare support. At face value, the country succeeded in many respects—women’s workforce participation rose, and social safety nets expanded.
But beneath the surface, cracks appeared. Research by sociologists and psychologists reveals a darker trend: a significant rise in social fragility, especially among women in younger generations.
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Scandinavian Social Psychology examined how left-wing cultural norms affected young Swedish women’s psychological health and behavior. The study found that rewarding impulsive decisions—such as unplanned pregnancies with easy access to abortion—combined with cultural narratives that externalize blame, correlated strongly with increased emotional instability, weaker problem-solving skills, and a heightened sense of victimhood (Johansson & Svensson, 2021).
The researchers noted that when women are told their personal challenges are caused primarily by male oppression rather than their own choices, they become less likely to develop resilience or pursue long-term planning. Rather than learning to navigate difficulties, many young women adopt a reactive mindset: anger and blame replace responsibility and foresight.
This cultural pattern also fosters a generation of men who feel emasculated and disempowered. The study found a rise in social withdrawal and unemployment among young men, many of whom described feeling rejected by a society that viewed them as the problem (Svensson & Lindqvist, 2020).
The Personal Toll: Hate, Resentment, and a Fractured Mind
For the individual woman, the psychological consequences are profound. The left’s narrative cultivates a cycle of resentment: dissatisfaction with oneself combined with hostility toward an external enemy—often men. This persistent anger is psychologically exhausting and isolates individuals from meaningful relationships, support networks, and even self-compassion.
Clinicians studying populations in highly polarized societies report higher levels of anxiety, depression, and identity confusion among those entrenched in grievance politics (American Psychological Association, 2022).
Because this mindset discourages personal accountability, it also sabotages long-term growth. Instead of learning from mistakes—whether financial decisions, relationship challenges, or career setbacks—the individual blames external forces. This erodes self-esteem and perpetuates dependency on state support or social programs, which ironically further cements feelings of powerlessness.
The Conservative Alternative: Responsibility as Freedom
Contrast this with a worldview that embraces personal responsibility as empowering rather than shaming. A woman who understands that choices have consequences—who accepts ownership of her decisions, even hard ones—builds resilience, confidence, and true freedom.
Conservatism offers a framework where individuals are seen as capable agents, not perpetual victims. It acknowledges systemic barriers but refuses to let them define or limit personal potential. It calls for communities that encourage accountability, mentorship, and strength—not entitlement or resentment.
The future depends on reclaiming this vision. Because societies that reward blame and anger ultimately produce fragility, fractured families, and lost potential.
Disclaimer
This article reflects a right-leaning perspective influenced by my personal beliefs and biases. It is based on some research and observations, but it does not claim to be an absolute or universally “correct” viewpoint. I recognize that radical conservatism can also lead to negative outcomes, sometimes pushing right-leaning individuals away from traditional conservative values. Ultimately, my hope is to encourage unity and understanding, because we are the people at the foundation of society—and if we allow ourselves to be divided, we weaken our collective strength. This piece is meant to start a conversation, not to shut one down.
References
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 80(1), 1–28.
Johansson, L., & Svensson, M. (2021). The psychological effects of welfare and social narratives on young Swedish women: A longitudinal study. Journal of Scandinavian Social Psychology, 62(3), 245–260.
Svensson, M., & Lindqvist, K. (2020). The social withdrawal of young men in Sweden: Causes and consequences. Youth & Society, 52(5), 702–721.
American Psychological Association. (2022). Political polarization and psychological impacts: An overview.
Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., Stallworth, L. M., & Malle, B. F. (1994). Social dominance orientation: A personality variable predicting social and political attitudes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(4), 741–763.
Schmitt, D. P., & Mullins-Sweatt, S. N. (2020). The Big Five personality traits and political ideology: A meta-analytic review. Personality and Individual Differences, 164, 110137.