J.D. Vance’s Attack on Childless Women Is an Attack on Personal Freedom and Dignity
Rabbi Noam Raucher, MA.Ed — Executive Director, Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs
In his recent attack on childless women, specifically targeting Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, Senator and candidate for Vice President, J.D. Vance exposed a deeply troubling mindset that goes beyond a personal vendetta. His remarks are not only an affront to Weingarten but also to everyone who has chosen not to have children, whether by circumstance or by choice. This rhetoric undermines the fundamental right to live one’s life free from ridicule and judgment.
Vance’s comments highlight a disturbing trend in which public figures resort to attacking personal life choices when they lack substantial arguments on policy issues. By focusing on whether or not someone has children, he attempts to delegitimize their opinions and contributions to society, as if parental status is the only qualifier for leadership, intelligence, or empathy. But this notion is not only wrong; it is harmful.
The Pew Research Center’s statistics reveal that 41% of women over 50 who do not have children are married. This data point underscores that Vance’s attack isn’t just on women — it implicitly includes men as well, particularly those who are childless by choice or circumstance. By framing the issue as one exclusive to women, Vance perpetuates a sexist narrative that marginalizes both women and men who defy traditional expectations. Surprisingly, Vance doesn’t direct his criticism about this issue to men. Indicating he’s either afraid to do so for fear of aggression from other men, or losing male votes altogether. That decision in itself says a lot about what he thinks about power-dynamics between men and women.
In attacking childless individuals, Vance is striking at the heart of personal freedom. The decision to have children is deeply personal and should be respected as such. It’s a decision influenced by myriad factors, including health, career aspirations, personal values, and life circumstances. To reduce a person’s worth or capability to whether they have children is to ignore the complexity and validity of individual life choices.
Moreover, this attack reveals a glaring weakness in Vance’s political platform. If he must resort to such personal and irrelevant attacks, it suggests that he lacks a compelling vision for the future — one that addresses the real issues facing Americans today. When a leader stoops to attacking individuals based on their personal lives rather than engaging in substantive policy discussions, it is a sign that their platform is not built on solid ground.
The right to live our lives according to our own values and choices is fundamental to the fabric of our society. It’s time we reject the notion that a person’s value is tied to their parental status and stand up against those who seek to divide us based on outdated and narrow definitions of worth. Vance’s attack on childless individuals, whether they be women or men, is not just an insult to them; it’s an attack on the freedom and dignity of all of us.
