Areo has now received quite a few submissions arguing that a solution to the current polarisation is a political stance that is economically left but socially conservative. This seems to be a growing idea. It worries me but to varying degrees depending on what it means.

And that is, what do you mean by "socially conservative?" If this means restrictive gender roles and opposition to same sex marriage, then no, absolutely not. I will fight it tooth and nail.

However, there is a definite thirst for an acceptance of what is often called 'traditional masculinity or femininity' which is actually just normal & healthy traits that are much more common in men or women. These should be absolutely fine under a liberal ethic.

By "liberal ethic," I mean people doing what satisfies them and doesn't hurt anyone else and this can include competitive & risk-taking masculine behaviours and nurturing, nest-making feminine ones.

This actually shouldn't be a problem unless men or women are required to adopt them. I'm not nurturing or nest-making & as long as those are both equally socially acceptable, this seems fine to me.

On a personal level, some people could consider me to want to have my cake and eat it. I like that my husband typically masculine. I find typically masculine traits attractive & endearing. I do not have typically feminine traits & neither do the women who are my closest friends

This isn't a problem tho as my husband appears to like me the way I am and we chose each other!

This is also the case with my father, tbh, so I really have been very lucky. Both my father & my husband have considered it their job to provide for me but not my job to do domestic things for them. However, I have never considered it their job to provide for me so that's OK?