Katha Pollitt

Columnist

@kathapollitt

Katha Pollitt is a columnist for The Nation.

Macron with kids

Why Do Men in Government Keep Telling Women to Have Kids? Why Do Men in Government Keep Telling Women to Have Kids?

Heads of state around the world want to prevent population decline. But they’re leaving all the responsibility to mothers.

Feb 20, 2024 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Hamas flag

Why Have Feminists Been So Slow to Condemn the Hamas Rapes? Why Have Feminists Been So Slow to Condemn the Hamas Rapes?

Israel's war in Gaza is an atrocity. But we can deplore its actions while also condemning the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.

Dec 15, 2023 / Katha Pollitt

Planet Earth

In Turbulent Times, Look for the Helpers In Turbulent Times, Look for the Helpers

It’s been a rough year. If you can lend a hand, these causes need—and deserve—your assistance.

Dec 7, 2023 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Representative Mike Johnson leaves a House Republican conference meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 24, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Mike Johnson’s “18th-Century Values” Mike Johnson’s “18th-Century Values”

The new speaker of the House says he's a history buff. But has he learned from it, or is he condemned to repeat it?

Nov 30, 2023 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Linda Hirshman

Linda Hirshman Was a Different Kind of Feminist Linda Hirshman Was a Different Kind of Feminist

In some ways, the lawyer and historian was a product of her time—but in more ways than most, she was ahead of it.

Nov 13, 2023 / Katha Pollitt

Affirmative Action for Men?

Affirmative Action for Men? Affirmative Action for Men?

College admissions policies claiming to maintain a gender balance are giving male applicants yet another advantage.

Oct 14, 2023 / Column / Katha Pollitt

The Women of America’s Heartland

The Women of America’s Heartland The Women of America’s Heartland

Monica Potts’s book The Forgotten Girls is a document of the effects of poverty, sexism, and, of course, the rapacious capitalism that has abandoned communities across America.

Aug 31, 2023 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Margot Robbie posing on the pink carpet.

The Double Bind of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” The Double Bind of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie”

The message of Barbie is that girls can be anything, but you still have to be gorgeous while you’re doing it.

Jul 28, 2023 / Katha Pollitt

Supreme Court Abortion California

Maternal Mortality Is Rising, and Pro-Lifers Don’t Care Maternal Mortality Is Rising, and Pro-Lifers Don’t Care

Abortion opponents expect all pregnancies to be carried to term. But they won't lift a finger to help mothers.

Jul 21, 2023 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Cringe Eat, Pray, Cringe

Elizabeth Gilbert’s next novel faced outcry for its setting in Russia. So, before she could get canceled, she canceled herself.

Jun 14, 2023 / Katha Pollitt

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