If you believe JD Vance, the American family is in crisis. But are attacks on “childless cat ladies” and pitches for enfranchising kids actual policy platforms or merely culture war cudgels?

This week on “Matter of Opinion,” Jessica Grose joins Michelle, Ross and Carlos to debate the weird ways gender and family are showing up in the election and share their own roads to parenthood.

Plus, Jessica suggests a deep dive into a culture of “tin pot dictators wearing LoveShackFancy.”

(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)

Recommended in this episode:

“Red Families vs. Blue Families: Legal Polarization and the Creation of the Culture” by Naomi Cahn and June Carbone
“The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind” by Melissa S. Kearney
“The Party of Julia” by Ross Douthat
“Welcome to Bama Confidential,” Anne Helen Peterson’s essay series on her Culture Study newsletter

Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.

JD Vance and the Dueling Visions of the American Family

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

JD Vance and the Dueling Visions of the American Family