In support of Karens: Should we apologize to America’s moms who call for managers?

Rethinking the “Karen” Archetype

Most people aren’t fond of the term “Karen,” associated with entitled behaviors like haggling with baristas or calling the police over trivial neighborhood disputes. It’s easy to poke fun at such antics, as evidenced by the plethora of internet memes dedicated to ridiculing her character.

However, maybe we’ve been too quick to judge this archetype. Some argue that, despite her often annoying ways, the “Karen” plays a vital role in society.

This perspective is championed by Christopher Rufo and Jonathan Keeperman. The hosts of “Rufo & Romes” make a case for a more balanced view. Rufo emphasizes the need to defend the Karen stereotype “in a principled, unashamed, and unapologetic way.”

He describes a “Karen” as someone who maintains civil order. She’s that assertive figure who insists, “Hold on a second! You’re infringing upon our social norms.”

Keeperman, who has previously defended the “Karen” archetype, agrees, noting that “in a society where order is diminishing, it’s easy to scapegoat these figures rather than confront the underlying issues.”

In his view, Karens are often among the few willing to stand up and demand a semblance of order and civility amid the chaos and decline of societal norms. While they may come off as “hysterical,” they do call for basic decency and etiquette in public spaces, which he argues is essential.

However, not every person who embodies this stereotype behaves the same way. For instance, someone overly concerned with microaggressions isn’t exactly the same as someone advocating for structure and adherence to rules.

Rufo categorizes the latter as “defenders of civilization,” likening them to champions of traditional values. Unfortunately, this has led to a blurred distinction between those who uphold civility and others who may focus on issues like social justice in oversensitive ways.

Being strict about rules is annoying at times, sure, but these individuals might be our last line of defense against societal disorder. If we mock them into silence, we might end up with a society more concerned about identity politics than, say, community standards like pool rules.