The Benedictine nuns who run the school where he made his unfortunate remarks didn't take too kindly to them. I don't see why any other women or reasonable men should either. He essentially said that the most important thing a woman can do is to sacrifice herself, her own goals, her own dreams - to making those of her man and her children come true. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be a mom or a stay at home wife, but that shit is toxic AF and will drive a woman to day-drinking faster than you can say "mother's little helper." That a lot of women present at that speech applauded it speaks to social norms theory and the depth of internalized misogyny in conservative cultures.
“One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman,” they said. “We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.”
“Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be ‘homemaker’ in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves,” they added. “We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic.”
