One of the side effects of being a private person with a public column is people assume they know everything about us. Based on 1,000 words a week, our lives become an open book subject to endless speculation and ASSumptions.

Case in point: last week's column discussing our 19-year-old daughter's decision to join the Navy.

The column sparked dozens of comments – some supportive, some alarmed, some defensive, but all with a spirit of concern for our daughter (for which I thank everyone very much). However one lone comment stood out as such a non sequitur that I'm still trying to grasp where it came from: "LOL, we predicted this tradcon would raise a feminist. They all do."

A "TradCon" woman, for those unfamiliar with misogyny in general and with the MGTOW (Men Going Their Own Way) movement in particular, is a contemptuous term referring to "traditional conservative" women (and let it be known all MGTOW terms for women are contemptuous; there are no other types). I believe MGTOW divvy women into one of two categories: either TradCons or Feminists, both equally revolting. MGTOW believe both formats are tied to gynocentrism and are out to "get" them.

TradCon women, I gather, are despised among the MGTOW set because they supposedly want to force men (and presumably women) back into rigid gender roles, which includes "male disposability." The man is expected to behave like a slave at the woman's bidding and earn money while the woman "just sits back, plays with the kids, and goes shopping for shoes and handbags."

TRENDING: Michelle Obama says she has 'low-grade depression,' claims Trump is partly to blame

But of course, by these definitions, a woman's lot is no piece of cake either. TradCon women must never set foot outside the position of housewife. Young unmarried daughters must remain living at home until they are, I don't know, auctioned off to the highest bidder or something. The dutiful daughter must twiddle her thumbs and contemplate her navel until a suitably Bible-thumping man comes along, pays her purchase price, forces her into irrevocable vows, then chains her to his kitchen, removes her shoes and expects a new baby every year.

So naturally any daughter who isn't married, barefoot and pregnant by age 19 – and instead decides to embark on a career choice to further her education and experience – has by default flipped over the rail and become a feminist (not to mention a horrific disappointment to her TradCon mother).

Yeah, that's it. You bet. Absolutely. Nailed it, buddy. Good job.

For the most part, I take a long view on the MGTOW movement. For decades, men have gotten the short end of the stick in our culture. With feminism presiding over the court system, the educational system, employment laws, and so many other aspects of modern society, a backlash was inevitable. But MGTOW members are more than just disgusted with a feminist-dominated culture. Almost to a person, they were so badly hurt by a woman in their past (mother, wife, girlfriend) that they developed a seething irrational hatred of every XX chromosome on the planet. That's the only explanation. Baby boys do not emerge from the womb hating women, after all.

This doesn't mean I absolve MGTOW members – it's hard to appreciate a group whose entire existence is dedicated to loathing me simply because I'm female – but OK, whatever. However, I do feel compelled to probe this accusation that our daughter is a feminist.

Smart parents raise up their children to become mature, responsible, independent adults. For young people, the next logical step after high school is to further their education and/or training in a field of interest. Our older daughter (now age 21) fulfilled this phase by becoming a certified professional nanny who works in New Jersey. She loves her job, keeps an active social life, has no debt and regularly contributes to a bank account that dwarfs that of most people twice her age.

Our younger daughter (age 19) is ready to spread her wings and see the world. She enlisted in the Navy in the Advanced Electronics Computer Field, where she will have the double advantage of superb technical training (essentially a Bachelor's degree without the feminist-studies nonsense) and serving her country. She maintains the traditional conservative faith, values, morals and attitude she grew up with. Would someone please explain to me how this makes her a feminist?

"Just about anyone who's told me I couldn't do something because I'm a woman are saying it from a feminist perspective," says our daughter. "Feminists tell me I'm going to experience sexism and I won't be able to do whatever I want to do." Trust me, our daughter is not a feminist.

Instead she's a realist. Our daughter is intelligent and could attend any college she wants, but she chose to avoid the snowflake factories and opt to serve her country instead. At just 5 five feet in height, she knows she cannot serve with men on the battlefield. She cannot hoist packs amounting to 70 percent of her body weight. But she can serve her nation using her brainpower instead.

Men Going Their Own Way might speak contemptuously of TradCons, but in general it's the TradCons – both men and women – who are serving their country. Sure, they could stay home and focus on their personal safety and security, but they aren't. Much of the freedom America enjoys is due to the sacrifices these TradCons have made on our behalf, the ones who rose to the occasion and did what needed to be done … often at immense personal expense.

Now all of this rhetoric is rather pointless since I don't give a diddly-do what MGTOW'ers think of our daughter's career decision. I know it would please their angry little minds to witness conflict or dissent in a loving family, but it's not happening here. Head back to your basement and wait for your mom to bring you lunch – unless you hate her, too.

Meanwhile our daughter – all 5-foot-1-inch of her – will be serving her country in the Navy. If the North Korean Pillsbury Doughboy should suddenly go postal, she'll be among those who could be helping to save the stateside butts of all MGTOW'ers.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day. And thank a soldier – or a sailor – for providing you the freedom to celebrate.

Media wishing to interview Patrice Lewis, please contact [email protected].

