Mommy's Gone Down the Rabbit Hole: Understanding the Intersection Between Motherhood and Conspiracy Theories in the United States From the 1970s to the Present Day.

Authors: Abigail Petteys, Lee Bernstein

SUNY Campus: SUNY New Paltz

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 58

Timeslot: Session C 1:45-2:45 PM

Abstract: When picking up my sister from school, I noticed a woman wearing a shirt that read, “Unvaccinated, Conservative, Meat Eating, Gun Owner. How else can I piss you off today?” Such provocative messaging reflects the growing polarization in the United States over the past decade, accompanied by a surge in conspiracy theories. Historically, women have often been overlooked as active participants in conspiratorial thinking, yet motherhood frequently serves as a driving force behind such ideologies. This phenomenon is visible in groups like Moms for Liberty and viral school board confrontations, as well as in QAnon's "satanic pedophile deep state" conspiracies. While these trends are often framed as new, their roots run deep. This study examines the work of Mae Brussell, a prominent figure in the 1970s and 80s whose obsession with the JFK assassination and “deep state” conspiracies mirrors modern rhetoric. Interestingly, Brussell was embraced by the far left, including figures in the Yippie movement, highlighting an earlier, left-leaning orientation in conspiratorial discourse. How has the pendulum shifted from left to right in conspiracy thinking? How does gender influence conspiratorial belief and the motivations behind it? By exploring the intersection of motherhood and conspiracy theories, this study provides historical context to better understand these contemporary dynamics.