Moms and Daughters React to Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Confirmation

When bad news leaves me feeling sad, confused, or defeated, a call to my mom almost always seems like a perfect fix. Whether she’s there to offer wise advice, a pick-me-up, or just a listening ear, I feel safe knowing I can talk to her honestly about complex emotions I may be facing.

October 6 was one of those days when I needed her. After Brett Kavanaugh was officially confirmed to the Supreme Court, despite accusations of sexual misconduct, I wasn’t the only young woman reaching out to my mom. Kavanaugh’s confirmation was a devastating blow for many people across the country, apparently signaling that — as in the past — society continues to discount women's experiences.

Within these private conversations between mothers and daughters, the intense emotions Kavanaugh’s confirmation evoked for many girls and women across the country are revealed, through impassioned texts, phone calls, and lengthy emails. Though many negative feelings come up in these conversations, the exchanges are also rich with optimism and energy, especially in the messages moms sent to their daughters.

A look at these conversations shows that, aside from just wise advice or a listening ear, moms are able to offer a retrospective view of activism, one that defines the Kavanaugh confirmation as just another setback to overcome on the long and uphill battle for gender equality — not a moment of hopeless defeat.

Some messages moms sent to their daughters are short and sweet, some are longer letters. Some are from liberal activist parents, and some are from socially conservative parents learning to accept the #MeToo movement from their progressive daughters.

The responses young girls have received in the wake of the Kavanaugh confirmation, which all touch on the experience of navigating the patriarchy, ran the gamut; however, persistent in all of them is the conviction that the fight may not be won, but it’s definitely not over.

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