New York Magazine
Writer at large at New York Magazine; former senior writer at Salon and contributor to the New York Times magazine; author of Big Girls Don’t Cry: The Election that Changed Everything for American Women
PROFILE
Rebecca Traister
Guest
FROM Rebecca Traister
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
"All the Single Ladies" Mary Tyler Moore, Carrie Bradshaw and Hannah Horvath are all members of the single lady TV aristocracy. And each character has helped shape the narrative of the single woman in modern America. The message is clear: “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby,” to borrow a slogan from Virginia Slims. Outside of the small screen, the story is more complicated. For most of history, the single life wasn’t much of a life at all. There were very few jobs for single women. Society was suspicious of the unattached female. Getting married was pretty much the only choice for a majority of women. But as economic opportunities for women increase, more are opting out of marriage or waiting much later to tie the knot. We look at the trend.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Politics of Abortion Abortion is back on the radar of Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. With yesterday’s Texas grand jury decision to indict two abortion opponents who targeted Planned Parenthood with an undercover video, abortion is a hot-button issue once more. Senator Bernie Sanders was even asked about reproductive rights at a town hall meeting Monday night. One thing is clear: Abortion politics is not going away any time soon.
To the Point
Remembering Nora Ephron Nora Ephron told a graduating class at Wellesley College, her alma mater, that women of her generation weren't expected to do much. Ephron may be best known for films, including Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail and Julie and Julia. She grew up in Beverly Hills, and wrote that she was the only summer intern at the Kennedy White House the late President never hit on. She was a journalist, blogger, essayist, novelist, playwright, Oscar-nominated screenwriter and movie director. Nora Ephron, who died yesterday at the age of 71, was also a friend of Rebecca Traister, contributor to the New York Times magazine and author of Big Girls Don't Cry : The Election that Changed Everything for American Women.
Which Way, L.A.?
Susan G. Komen Decision on Planned Parenthood Sparks Backlash Since 1982, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has helped bring down breast cancer rates, in part with support for mammograms conducted by Planned Parenthood . Now, Komen has cut that funding , saying that it has done so because that group is " under investigation ." The decision has sparked a backlash and, in reaction, Planned Parenthood received $650,000 from other donors in just 24 hours.
To the Point
Susan G. Komen Decision on Planned Parenthood Sparks Backlash Since 1982, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has helped bring down breast cancer rates, in part with support for mammograms conducted by Planned Parenthood . Now, Komen has cut that funding , saying that it has done so because that group is " under investigation ." The decision has sparked a backlash and, in reaction, Planned Parenthood received $650,000 from other donors in just 24 hours.
Recommended
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?