Wendy Davis Gender Roles

In contrast, American women hold a minor role in political participation. With only 84 of 435 seats, women face more challenges in American politics than men. (Catalyst) For example, we can look at the most recent election where Hillary Clinton was the victim to many implicit gender bias’. In order to elect the most qualified person to lead a country shouldn’t gender be taken out of the equation? Plato’s approach focuses on electing those who are most qualified and justly, eliminates gender as a factor.

Numerous systemic barriers are preventing women from entering the political workforce including (but no limited to): family, the brutality of politics, male domination, stereotypes and traditionalism. Family plays probably the most important role in women’s decision-making on whether to enter politics.

In reality, however, women are equally and in some ways more qualified to hold leadership positions than men. Although there is no single explanation for why women are underrepresented in politics, the gender gap in the political arena stems from the lack of female participation in elections as women are often discouraged or feel threatened by society to run for political office. Young women who aspire a career in politics encounter both structural and emotional barriers, which prevent them from running for political office. Women battle issues of self-confidence, face stereotypes, and derive false perceptions of political campaigns, all of which broaden the gender gap in the political

Jeannette Rankin was an influential person even before she ran for Representative, but now that she is in a position of more power, she can surely bring about more changes than she already has. She is a committed pacifist and she knows how to get her ideas across to others. She has led the way for women into positions of federal power, and more will surely follow. Rankin will work to get nationwide women’s voting rights, and she believes in gender equality. As she has said, “Men and women are like left and right hands, it doesn’t make sense not to use them both.”

Women first gained the right to vote on August 26, 1920 with the 19th amendment was approved, giving women full voting rights. Fortified by the constitutional victory in 1920, the handful of new women in Congress embarked on what would become a century-long journey to broaden women’s role in government. In the intervening years, the drive for more women’s rights encompassed the lives of the next generations of women. Even today, women are still fighting for their rights and stand up against prejudice. On the forefront of this movement are our women congresswomen who speak on behalf of all women. When Hillary Clinton announced her presidential candidacy, controversial questions immediately surfaced about the role of gender in politics. Through Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008 and 2016, media is the principal propagator in showing bias and sexism.

There have been many significant strides since 1970 when women occupied almost no major elective positions in U.S. political institutions. Today’s society has reflected remarkable changes in women’s equality and acceptance. In 2008, Hillary Clinton received 18 million votes when she fought for presidency of the Democratic Party . In 2011, Sarah Palin was listed at the top of her candidates for the Republican presidential nomination. However, women are consistently being underrepresented in the political world reaching beyond just the federal level. Clyde and Thomas attest the underrepresentation to two basic reasons: lack of political ambition as well as historic exclusion of women from professions that tend to lead toward the political arena . Three central barriers contribute to the difficult road ahead for the

A World Dominated by Men: The Conflict of Gender Roles in Trifles by Susan Glaspell

African American women’s leadership in the community is translating into political power. What has once been seen as a political liability, gender and race, is now turning into political capital. Just as African American women used their exclusive perspective to further social justice movements, they are using that it in the political world and are being just as successful. Their presence in local, state, and federal government is increasing. Because of their ability to connect to those they represent and think outside of the box, African America women are becoming very successful political actors. Since they are able to weave traditional

Within the past 50 years, there has been an increasing amount of women in the government. Whether these women hold powerful positions such as Secretary of State, or hold minor positions such as PTA President, a political revolution is brewing. The United States of America is lacking substantially with regards to females in office, in fact if one were to look statistically at the amount of women in the government, the United States is failing tremendously. Although the United States likes to claim that they are the land of opportunities, it seems as if the only ones reaping those benefits are cis white males. But, there are women who choose to break the glass ceiling and attempt to explore the opportunities that are in front of them, and one

Research shows that women candidates are “assumed to be less qualified than men to hold public office, even when they have more experience and stronger credentials” (Carroll and Fox 55). With this in mind, it is most likely one of the main reasons why Dole strongly stressed her personal and career experiences during the campaign. She undoubtedly hoped to use her background as evidence of her readiness for the nation’s highest office and, and the same time, to eliminate the inaccurate

Looking back with a historical lens, it’s evident that the fight for women’s rights has progressed in a step wise process. The nineteenth amendment opened a new door of opportunities for women to take advantage of. In modern times, the continued push for equal rights is evident through the fight for reproductive rights and equal pay. Even with the right to vote, women are still being under represented and out of control when it comes to their reproductive rights and in the workplace. Opposing beliefs regarding feminism have prevented the progression of more gender equality in the United States. What originally started as a plea for a political voice helped to shape the history of the nation. Women’s suffrage paved the way for countless groups and further feminist

Although Feinstein is a female, our campaign can win the female vote. De Leon's work on bills to improve college's reaction to sexual violence and to provide more confidentiality to victims is an important step in protecting victims of sexual assault. A year later, he added a bill to the legislature that would require public high schools to include sexual assault prevention in their health classes. A strong believer in a woman's right to control her own healthcare, he has fought to protect Planned Parenthood, even as the Congress attempts to slash its funding. His promotion of single payer healthcare has particular resonance for women, as it will provide women with children easier and cheaper access to healthcare. Focusing on these accomplishments, he can make inroads with women voters. De Leon should make appearances at Planned Parenthood fundraisers and look to appear on television or meet with groups who run TV and billboard ads for Planned Parenthood. Growing up with only his mother as an available parent, de Leon should make it clear that he understands the sacrifice that single mothers endure to improve their children's lives. However, de Leon must also explain that he does not support Tony Mendoza, the former state senator accused of sexual assault who was close with de Leon. De Leon's legislative work has illustrated that he wants to work with and for women, but his former

Many women have faced difficult paths to get elected into office whether they are Hispanic, African American, or White. Even if they had all the qualities or they were overqualified they failed based on their gender, race, or lack of confidence in themselves.

Swers, M. L. (2002). The Difference Women Make: The Policy Impact of Women in Congress. Chicago: London: University of Chicago Press.

The political arena is a tough place to be part of, especially during a campaign. Your opponent and their supporters are constantly watching your every move with the hopes that you will make a mistake, or that somebody will find some detrimental dirt on you. Now imagine also being a woman, not only will you have to face the hardships that male candidates cope with but you will also have to handle the adversity based on your gender and the stereotypes that go along with being a female. Women have to be prepared to confront the fact that they may not even be wanted in that setting. For example Margaret Carlson stated,