This article is part of a series by the author examining the myths and realities of women’s role in global politics. You can find all of the articles here.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for a Catholic college in May, Harrison Butker made headlines for his comments about how women should define success in their lives. Addressing the female graduates that day, the kicker for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City football team said, “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. … I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
At an event expressly dedicated to a recognition of the assembled graduates’ academic achievements, Butker asserted that his “beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.” Butker’s comments resulted in a swift backlash and, predictably, a backlash to that backlash.