Schneider's glasses

Alpha male

Women have had to fight hard for their rights over generations. Are these achievements in danger?

(Bild: Kreisky-Archiv)

"Krone" columnist Robert Schneider fears that the triumph of right-wing populist parties will also bring arch-conservative role models back into fashion. He was all the more upset that a woman recently sang the praises of the alpha male in SPIEGEL.

Should so many decades of fighting for gender equality have been in vain? It looks like it has - yes. The German opinion research institute Civey conducted a survey among young adults (18 to 29-year-olds). The result: almost half of those surveyed long for a past they have never been back to. The EU elections have shown it. Our society is retarded. Not only in Austria, but also in Italy, Hungary, Germany and France, right-wing populist parties emerged as clear winners.

What does this mean for the image of women in society? In Germany in particular, there was great shock after the voter analysis showed that a large proportion of AfD voters were young people. Women as well as men.

So back to the clearly defined gender images of the past? Women back at the stove? Only the man should still work? In any case, a backward-looking longing can be observed. No more female self-realization. Children yes. Career rather not. And when he comes home, a warm meal on the table, no annoying questions because he's tired. Caring. Reading his every wish from his lips.

The writer Robert Schneider has been writing regular columns for the "Krone" newspaper for several years.

(Bild: Mathis Fotografie)

SPIEGEL author Heike Kleen recently wrote a column about it: "I admit: there's something to it. (...) And it would be dishonest to dismiss such behavior. (...) I understand every woman who wants to protect herself with an alpha male." Kleen interprets this new (old) femininity as healthy pragmatism. "Anyone who bears, gives birth to and nurses (sic!) children has a certain interest in ensuring their survival as well as their own." So in plain language, Ms. Kleen, does this mean that working women who also manage the household and raise children are not in a position to ensure their "own survival"?

But Ms. Kleen herself admits that she is attracted to alpha males. We can only hope that she finds one. Then she won't have to spread such nonsense any more, because she'll be safe and can read every wish from the lips of her dork.