Gender Gap In Politics

1993 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Gender inequality in the workforce

One of the main purposes of the United States government is to make policy that is relevant and helpful to the people of the country. To this end, it is important that our leaders understand and reflect the values and concerns of the people they represent. It is important, therefore, that it is comprised of a diverse group of individuals to match the diversity of the nation’s population. It is concerning, then, that, despite the fact that women make up 52 percent of the population, they only make up 17-18 percent of the United States Congress. Not only are they underrepresented, but they also show lower interest in running for office to begin with compared to their male counterparts. It is important to address the causes of and solutions to this gender gap in political ambition and representation so that the government is more reflective of the people it is supposed to govern and therefore better able to tackle the issues of the day in a productive way. The gender gap in political ambition is a pervasive and persistent problem that has its roots partially in the differential coverage of appearance and character traits for women as opposed to political viewpoints for men in the media and the problem is also exacerbated by stigmas related to other identities women candidates have such as those related to their race, sexuality, or gender; the best way to bridge the gender gap in politics is with grassroots activism supported by political organizations and specific policies geared toward gender equality in the workplace and in representation, such as affirmative action.
The gender gap in political ambition is partially rooted in the double standards women face in the media, for example when covering political viewpoints. Researchers ...

... middle of paper ...

...at happen, it is ideal for the composition of congress to more accurately reflect the composition of the population of the country it governs. One of the best ways we as a country can achieve this is to get women more involved in politics so that roughly 50 percent of congress is female, as in the overall population, rather than only 20. It is clear from research that the best way to proceed toward more gender equality in government is to address the cultural double standards and biases present in society and the media as well as to address stigmas related to other identities and to aim for more policies that promote gender equality in the workplace as a whole. If we as a society can agree this is a goal worth striving for and attempt to make a government that more accurately reflects the will of the people, the country will inevitably become a much better place.

Show More
Related

  • Perceptions of Inequality in Arizona Politics

    2246 Words  | 5 Pages

    On November 1912, women won the right to vote in Arizona. This period of time marked a lot of changes for women and politics in Arizona. Women had to struggle against a male dominated society that influenced their vote despite their new freedom to vote as they saw fit. The right to vote eventually led to a proliferation of women running for local, state, and national offices. Those running for office faced skepticism about their capabilities as a politician, concern over whether they had the drive, intelligence, and strength to face down opponents within the political arena. Despite these obstacles, women have proven to be successful politicians and have infiltrated the ranks of male dominated government systems, both within states and nationwide. Today, women are virtually equal to men as far as their capabilities are concerned, yet are still under-represented in the national political scene. By reviewing a brief history of a few women in politics in Arizona and examining current political themes, a platform is formed that allows an understanding and recognition of the struggles and progression of women in politics today.

    Read More

  • The Fab Five

    1593 Words  | 4 Pages

    The women of the state of Arizona have always played a significant role in politics. Before most women even had the right to vote, two women from Arizona, Frances Munds and Rachel Berry, were the first women elected into the state legislature. Today, Arizona has the highest percentage of women in the state legislature. More impressive is the fact that Arizona is the first state ever to have an all-female elected line of succession. There is no doubt that these five women greatly contributed to making 1997 the "Year of the Woman," where there was a dramatic increase in women's representation in the House and Senate. Why women in Arizona have flourished in the political arena and continue to do so is a question our group will try to answer in our research. More specifically, I will discuss women in current Arizona politics. In reviewing the role of women in current politics today, I will discuss the reasons as to why women have such strong political power in the state of Arizona, and the difference, between the views of voters in Arizona and other states. I will also discuss not only the future of women in Arizona politics but the future of women in national politics as well, and what to expect as the new millenium approaches.

    Read More

  • A Film Analysis Of The Film: Missrepresentation

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Congress only 2 percent of members have been women in 1789. That is severely low number and part of the reason why this is so low is due to the media’s and society’s treatment of powerful women. The media is especially savage to women with their criticisms, but they are often criticism not of the policies but of their outfits and hair. The media teaches society that it is more important to focus on aa women’s pantsuit than her policies. The can be disparaging to any women wanting to run for politics. In the film they show many clips of newscasters or radio host taking about women; they comment on their outfits, their hair, their hormones, they call them sluts, and whores, they attack them. It was unbearable to watch these women who have worked so hard to become powerful women being torn down for their hair choice for the day. Its also hurts voter’s confidence in women in that “sexist media coverage results in drastic decrease of voter confidence in women candidates” (Larris, Maggio).

    Read More

  • Feminism In Guyland By Michael Kimmel

    1186 Words  | 3 Pages

    This was backed up with the Princeton study that shows that women in the science field made 14% of the total faculty in their workplaces and one out of four reported their male colleagues occasionally engaged in unprofessional conduct focusing on gender issues (Quindlen paragraph 11). Similar things occur to women in politics. In Men Rule, it is stated that “When women run for office – regardless of the position they seek – they are just as likely as their male counterparts to win their races”(Lawless and Fox 2). This proves that women have the potential to succeed in politics, but raises the question of why it is that women are still underrepresented in politics. Studies in Men Rule shows that “gender gaps in political recruitment and perceptions of qualifications continue to hinder women’s interest in running for office just as much now as a decade ago”; and although women’s interest in politics have increased over time, men still run the show when it should be controlled equally (Lawless and Fox 16). This is why feminism is needed, through feminism women can be sufficiently represented in all areas of the

    Read More

  • Horatian Satire In Beauty And The Beast

    1738 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 2008 the first woman was awarded the position of Speaker of the House, and Hillary Clinton ran for president. While Hillary had widespread support leading people to believe that the two different genders had reached equality, there were several that doubted whether or not a woman has what it takes to be a president. The women that came into power that was generally held by men, needed to perform a balancing act. This balancing act was between the characteristics of women and projecting the masculine strength and leadership needed to hold their position (Jenen 14). This problem in society has been continuing on for a long time. In the 1970’s women had no standing in academia. That women were no use to the department they were studying and

    Read More

  • Canadian Feminism: The Role Of Women In Canadian Women

    1685 Words  | 4 Pages

    However, the female participation in politics is a staggeringly low number, thus in the Global Gender Gap report of 2016, it ranked Canada 35 out of 144 countries (Forum,2016). Having Canadian women more involved in politics ensures that different perspectives and opinions are represented where it matters the most, in the government that organizes and creates all the legislations. Policies such as abortion rights should not be determined by men, but by women who can relate to or understand the grounds of the rights. The barriers that women face can easily be diminished with effort. The media can do its part and treat female politicians like they treat their male counterparts, based on their proposed policies and not by what they may be wearing at the time. Families and society itself need to drop the “traditional family” model and realize that modern families share responsibilities so that both parents can strive in their respected careers. Lastly women themselves need to be reminded that if they have the right qualifications, they could go as far as they want, specifically in politics. By becoming a politician, they could still be a good wife and/or mother, but their self-perception needs to be improved by those around them who need to encourage them. Female politicians would be beneficial for everyone in a community, as the standard of who can lead a country changes and people realize that women are capable and qualified as

    Read More

  • Essay On Gender And Voting Behavior

    2285 Words  | 5 Pages

    Living in a society where gender matters and is one of the main attention seeking in every aspect whether it is involved with politics, governments, and as well as individuals within a community. Men and women were created equal at birth; yet, we are brought up and nurtured by the society that we let it control our thoughts and minds, and believing that women are not equally as men. Gender was separated at birth, in order for society to tell the difference between a boy and a girl, therefore, boys often wear things that associated with the color blue and girls with pink. In a political world, gender tends to suffer a gap between male and female when it comes to voting for presidential candidates or elections. While most electable candidates want to gather as many votes as possible from both genders, women’s voting tends to deliver a bigger impact on who will win, due to the fact that the majority of women are likely to vote for female candidates, especially on political issues relating to women’s rights and movements than male candidates. Therefore, women candidates should target mostly at female voters, because they are likely to vote for their own gender and will support women candidates on political issues involving discrimination and domestic violence towards women.

    Read More

  • Underrepresentation Of Women In Politics

    1606 Words  | 4 Pages

    The underrepresentation of female’s interests and values is a global phenomenon as there is no country where women are equally represented on all levels of government. Since most women in the Western World gained the right to vote, there is no area of human life or development sector which is immune from the impact of inequitable gender relations. The central thesis of this paper is that women’s underrepresentation in elected office creates serious problems. This paper begins by analysing the key barriers of women to get into politics, especially into leading positions. It will then go on to the argument that women have special interests and needs, and that male politicians cannot represent those concerns adequately. Additionally, this paper describes further problems in today’s political world, such as women’s identification with

    Read More

  • Sexism in the Media

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    One thousand years go by and an abundant amount of people still view women in a stereotypical type of way. On the opposing view, if women did not overstretch the slightest of things, this wouldn’t be such an enormous issue. Women may be overreacting to what the media has to say about them. It is not affecting everybody but a vast majority of successful women from continuing to moving forward said Marianne Schnall. Important to realize, women are capable of doing jobs men can do. Such jobs as being an engineer, physician, mechanic, lawyer and even top notch business women! Up to the present time there is an ongoing public debate on women suffering from double standards. If it makes a female feel threatened or belittled than it may be sexist. A very interesting article this came to be because the writer had numerous accountants to keep her argument steady. A worthy writer brings up present time activities, statistics, and people being affected by the scenario and provides the reader some closure. With a devastatingly crucial issue such as women being shunned by the media, it’s not okay to have the ideas of other people in your work. In the article, “Controversial Hillary Cover of Time Illuminates Sexism in the Media” by Marianne Schnall, implies that the media is negatively affecting the chances of women becoming successful with all the sexism it is portraying. Marianne Schnall is a published writer and professional interviewer with many influential credentials that she in not afraid to use.

    Read More

  • Women’s Reproductive Rights Are In Danger

    1738 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ernst, Julia L. "The Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues: An Inside Perspective on Lawmaking by and for Women." Michigan Journal of Gender & Law, 12.2 (2006): 189-274.

    Read More

  • Gender Equity in the 21st Century

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    The “Politics” section, from the UN’s 2008 report of the progress of the world’s women, discusses in detail how women’s roles in government and politics in general have expanded and can continue to expand. Moreover, it also explores different challenges and obstacles women may encounter when it comes to politics, and how these obstacles can be overcome. In discussing these issues, the author describes a “cycle of political accountability”. This so called cycle is a process by which women’s engagement in politics results in a positive “feedback loop” whereby a more gender-balanced political system may arise. According to the report, there are five stages: mobilization, representation, legislation & policy, implementation, and transforming politics. Of course, the cycle can also go backwards leading to the loss of rights for women.

    Read More

  • Women’s Inequality in the 20th Century

    1186 Words  | 3 Pages

    One major factor in why women did not reach equality in America in the past century was their underrepresentation in local, state, and federal politics. Between 1917, when Jeanette Rankin became the first woman to serve in the United States Congress, and 2000, only 219 women have been elected as US representatives or senators. Of these, only 28 have been women of color. In contrast, in the 20th century over a thousand men served in Congress, and 132 men of color. In the 106th United States Congress (which met from 1999-2001) only 58 of the 535 legislators were women, and only 18 were women of color. As a result, laws that benefitted women faced heavy opposition before they could be passed. In addition, women made up the minority of Supreme Court justices and presidential cabinet members at every point in the 20th century, and of the 15 presidents...

    Read More

  • Women's Roles In The 1920s Essay

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before the 1920s men and women were thought to have two separate roles in life. People believed women should be concerned with their children, home, and religion, while men took care of business and politics. In 1920 there were significant changes for women in politics, the home, and the workplace. When the 19th amendment passed it gave women the right to vote. “Though slowly to use their newly won voting rights, by the end of the decade women were represented local, state, and national political committees and were influencing the political agenda of the federal government.” Now a days it’s normal for women to be involved in politics and it’s normal for women to vote. Another drastic change

    Read More

  • Sexism and the Media

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Women of power are treated very poorly. These women of power include politicians, doctors, lawyers and businesswomen. Arguably, female politicians receive the worst treatment of all. Everything they do is constantly under media scrutiny, like what they wear and what they say, much more so than their male counterparts. The difference in the number of men and women congress members is vast, almost 5 to 1. Many women shy away from the political light for these reasons. An article, “Women in Politics”, written by Kenneth Jost, he explains the feats of women in the past 100 years:

    Read More

  • Women in Irish Society

    1270 Words  | 3 Pages

    A major way in which women have a lower status in society than men can be seen through women in politics. There are three major key areas of women in politics which focus of these points these consist of the attitudes towards women in politics, how women are represented thought the eyes of the law and through their occupational activity. It is not unknown that women are drastically misrepresented in Irish politics today. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO, 2013) the amount of women TDs stand at 25 compared to 141 male TDs. That roughly estimates out that just 15 per cent of Dáil member are women. This major misrepresenta...

    Read More

More about Gender Gap In Politics

Open Document