The con in conservatism is that it convinced billions of people all around the world, it stands for “respectful conversation of traditionalism”, rather than “conversation of power”.

Besides of the abandonment of the working class, white cishet men were steadily losing their power in society. They no longer can crack jokes at the expense of minorities. They’re no longer guaranteed to get a loving wife that won’t abandon them even if they’re abusive as hell. So the social contract that only existed in their head was broken, and want to undo it all, ASAP, no matter the cost. It’s just conservatives tried to not care about women gaining rights, especially up until women didn’t live with them. Same with the rights of other marginalized folks.