Sneak Peek: Women as Homemakers, War with China, & U.S. Critique

This week, we have three new conversations from our “Reverse Q&A: Hungary & Romania Series.” Here is the early release for our Substack subscribers:

Tuesday

Two men and two women in Pécs, Hungary engaged the claim, “Women should stay home and raise the children.” Both women disagree, one man agrees, and the other man slightly agrees. All four participants are unmarried students without children.

One woman expresses concern that society views homemakers negatively while working women have more prestige. “I don’t want to be viewed as someone who is just raising kids,” she said. The other woman highlights the economic necessity for both parents to work. The man who agrees with the claim believes there is a unique connection between mothers and children (particularly through breastfeeding). Both men disapprove of any social stigma attached to women who don’t have careers. One says that raising children is the “most awesome and most beautiful thing.”

By the end of the discussion, one participant changed lines.

Wednesday

Four students studying in Debrecen, Hungary consider if they would defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion. The students bring personal opinions about war to the discussion as well as diverse international perspectives. Each student is from a different country.

A man from India agrees with the proposition, noting the bravery required in India to end British colonialism. He asks the group to consider the danger of remaining neutral in international affairs. A woman from Thailand slightly agrees, though she says her opinion might be swayed by involvement from NATO or the United States. A man from Vietnam strongly disagrees, saying, “People should not take their life for granted.” A Hungarian man disagrees, suggesting that going to war to defend another country might be selfish. He asks, “Would you go there if you had a family? A husband or wife or children?”

Many topics related to war are considered in this conversation, including conscription, nuclear weapons, the value of fighting for a “just cause,” the strength of China, the Ukrainian invasion, and the difference between personal and global responsibility.

Thursday

Three Romanians reveal mixed feelings when discussing the claim, “The U.S. is a force for good in the world.” Criticisms of the country include the invasion of Afghanistan, Japanese internment in World War II, unnatural food, abortion laws, and former President Donald Trump. While two of the participants agree or slightly agree with the claim, we only hear supportive words for America’s commitment to scientific advancement and President Joe Biden. None of the participants wants to live in U.S.—although the man most critical of the country says he would be persuaded to visit if he could study with a famous physicist.

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Do you think Americans would engage these claims differently?