Women In Politics Essay

Women in Government
Are You Involved?
By: Kathleen Maag Growing up in a conservative religious home, it was joked that a woman
should be seen and not heard. This happened more often when I acted out and voiced my opinion as
to why I should have a cell phone while attending high school. But as I looked around and became
more involved in school and community, it wasn't a joke anymore. Women in theUnited States are
not involved enough in politics and government. Women are underrepresented in political offices at
the national and local levels. Currently, only 17 women serve in the United States Senate out of 100
seats and only 16 percent of the United States House of Representatives are female. Why is this a
problem? Legislatures, the House of...show more content...
To a high degree that is true. Take a look at our nation's elections. We claim being a multi party
country when almost every political office being held is a Democrat or Republican. If a person
doesn't have a backing of either the Republican or Democrat party, their chances of winning are
slim. Women are also more likely to cite their party, rather than an organization, as the most
influential source of encouragement for their candidacies, and who is to blame them? These
political parties will either help you soar to the position wanted or drag you down to defeat.
Look at the national conventions for example. Without the backing of the Republican Party,
Governor Huntsman's campaign was dead in the water. The political party makes or breaks a
candidate. Over night, Sarah Palin became an idol, and a punching bag for jokes, with the backing
of the Republican Party. The promotion of her running in the presidential campaign lead to her own
television series documenting her life as governor in Alaska. Fundraising for women also becomes a
set back. According to Opensecrets.org, the top three women who enjoyed incumbency advantage in
2008 raised approximately $33 million, $16 million less than the total for the top three male
incumbents. In highly competitive races, the gap between the top–raising female and male U.S.
Senate challengers in 2008 was almost $14 million (Senator Kay Hagan raised $8.5 million and Al
Franken $22.5 million), $8 million more than the
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

Gender and politics
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN AND GENDER STUDIES
EVENING CLASS: MODULE 2
INTRODUCTION
Social class, status, and power are predetermined by one's gender. Within today's patriarchal society,
men simply possess greater power than women, "and enjoy greater access to what is valued by the
social group." (Code 1993), Patriarchal thought produces male dominance, and authority within
multiple areas, including politics. Throughout history, governments have designed laws to maintain
such divisions of power, resulting in the oppression of women. "Patriarchal power relations
construct sexual differences as political differences by giving legal form to the belief that women,
because of their sex, are fit only to serve as wives and...show more content...
Indeed, the higher you go the fewer women you see. The question of women's representation in
elected bodies and in other decision making committees, needs to be seen in the light of this blatant
imbalance due to gender discrimination.
There is no doubt that over the years, men have been dominating politics of most countries in the
world. But it doesn't mean they did splendid job in what they are suppose to do? Politics has
never been an easy place for any man who supposedly can't even handle political landscape at
home and family of course. Today, most countries in the world face problems of democracy,
justice, equality, social problems arising from bad governance of those in corridor of power who
are mostly men. Having failed to provide good governance, when come to think of it, there is
nothing wrong if women who are noted to be caring, concern, and responsible are given more
chances in government for possible change in the 'status quo'. Should a woman involve in politics
have always been subject of controversy over the years. But among other political posts today few
women are already presidents of countries and senators, assembly members, and councilors. Cristina
FernГЎndez de Kirchner (Argentina), Dilma Rousseff (Brazil) and Joyce Banda (Malawi)
presidents of representative countries have proven that woman can own a place on the top of
political settings. Woman

Stereotypes In Politics
Exactly, that's why I noted politicians don't seem to be able to change the direction to the
majorities satisfaction. Their hands are tied somewhat and people forget that. It takes a special
person to be in politics and hold tight to the goal without being brought down by the negativity
(shadow) exhibited by media and the people. We pass judgement before looking at it from the
eyes of the beholder. We lack compassion and set aside facts to satisfy this shadow discussed in
the article. At least the president has exhibited some maturity and comic relief in the face of it. The
same is happening here in Alberta. A destroyed economy based mainly on oil. It got so bad that
voters didn't want Harper for another term so devotees to his own party

Women In Politics
New Zealand is ranked 35th internationally for its proportion of women parliamentary
representatives, with 31 percent of parliamentary seats held by women after the 2014 election. In
1981, only 8 of 92 seats were held by women, with this number significantly increasing upon the
introduction of a mixed–member–proportion ('MMP') electoral system to 35 of 120 in 1996. Despite
this increase, the number of women in electoral seats remains low (NZ Parliament, 2014) – where
the election of a candidate for a given electorate is first–past–the–post. In the decade since the
introduction of MMP, women have tended to be elected on party lists. The increased proportion of
women members of parliament ('MPs') is correlated to the introduction of MMP,...show more
content...
This patriarchal structure means that the voices of minority groups (particularly women) in
parliament are secondary to Cabinet's policy agenda. While the introduction of MMP in 1996
reduced the power of Cabinet, it is nonetheless difficult for the limited number of women MPs to
influence this patriarchal power structure – especially since bloc voting stifles dissenting political
perspectives during the legislative process. The role of liberalism and masculinity Why do these
patriarchal structures exist? Politics in the New Zealand liberal state are inherently masculine, where
social systems are based upon the neutral treatment of all people under the Lockean assumption that
those people are equal in the first place. In the expectation that men and women hold equal standing
in society, patriarchal oppression is built into the application of political and social systems. In New
Zealand politics, masculine traits are favoured under such a patriarchal structure. The liberal state
favours objectivity, neutrality, and detachment– 'masculine' traits, instead of subjectivity,
attentiveness, and care. Olsen (1991) argues that "objectivity is a denial of the existence or potency
of sex inequality that tacitly constructs reality from the dominant point of view". Effectively, New
Zealand politics are governed by these

Women in Government Essay
The Impact of Culture on Women in Government Yvonne A. Sherman ANT101 July 27, 2010
Culture is defined as customary beliefs and behaviors of a specific social group and traditions and
rituals become a part of everyday living (Miller, 2007). In today's modern world there are still
customs that are passed down from one generation to the next generation. In American culture as
well as Japanese culture the role of women has evolved to present day. Women play a significant
role in American culture today. Women hold positions of power such as Hiliary Clinton, current
Secretary of State and Nancy Poloski the current...show more content...
The usual profile is of a woman who is good looking but looking for someone she can spend the
rest of her life with. It is not because she needs a man to take care of her but because she wants
someone special to share life experiences with. This show usually shows the woman in a positive
light. Japanese women have faced numerous changes in their society in the past 150 years
(Friedman, 1992). The women of Japan have struggled with the ways of American women,
admiring, imitating, fighting, and ultimately wanting to have the same rights as western women
(Friedman, 1992). Since the early 1960s, women in Japan were allowed to vote in elections
however they did not have equal participation in decision making in regard to Japanese legislature.
There were very few women in high positions of power in government and women were treated
far less than equal to men (Friedman, 1992). Currently there are no laws against a woman running
for public candidacy but they are underrepresented in local and national government. Why?
Centuries ago women were consider to be less equal to men and were subservient to their
husbands. Women were not allowed to work based on previous beliefs and culture of women of
Japan. In 1999 new law was added to Japanese legislature stating that Japan is a Gender–Equal
Society and is based on respect for the human rights of women and men. The amendment set
precedence and paved the way for

Women in Politics Essay
Women in Politics
Beginning with the early nineteen hundreds, women from all over the country have bounded
together, forming leagues and clubs for equal rights. However, it wasn't until today "at the dawn of
the twenty–first century, states and international community can no longer refute the fact that
humanity is made up of two sexes, not just one" (Oliveria 26). Why has the woman's move for
equality just now started to balance itself out? Well, the answer is quite simple; women are just now
being looked at as semi–equals. They are beginning to become corporate executives in businesses,
and popular in the field of medicine and law. Women have tried hard to push themselves forward in
society to create a balanced and harmonious economy...show more content...
During this time women did not have a role in government, nor would they for the next one hundred
and eight years, until a woman would try to run for office. "In 1884, Belva Ann Lockwood –– the
first woman to try a case before the United States Supreme Court –– ran for Presidency" (Arenofsky
14). Well, to no surprise she lost, but her groundbreaking campaign made it possible and easier for
Jeannette Rankin, thirty–three years later, to run and become elected to Congress for the state of
Montana. However, even with this groundbreaking experience, women were still looked down upon
for their lack of experience. It wasn't until 1920 when women's suffrage ended and the nineteenth
amendment to the constitution, granting women the right to vote, that women were formally
introduced into politics. However, even with voting privileges, women were still looked at as weak
feeble creatures. The lack of confidence and the inability to be seen as strong–minded females who
were not afraid to voice their opinion hurt the female gender immensely. It wasn't until "Eleanor
Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, crisscrossed the country speaking about social
problems and serving as the quintessential role model for the politically active female" that women
began to witness how to present themselves with confidence (Arenofsky 14). Finally, with women's
confidence on the rise and

Essay on Women in Politics
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,
Do you ever get the feeling that the men in the world might not care if the door closed and...show
more content...
Women should provide a nurturing atmosphere in their private life, while men should have control
and function with in the public aspect of their life. No only is that stereotypical but it is also setting
a double standard.
Not only are woman subjected to society norms based on their personality characteristics, but also
on their life choices and "domestic responsibilities" questions arise for woman like "who will care
for you children and husband". Montague Kern and Paige P. Edley state that women will continue
to be "criticized for abandoning their traditional family roles" (1). This topic is not something that
is brought up to their male counterparts. I don't believe I have ever heard a man be questioned on
who was going to assume the responsibility of raising their children. So until society genuinely
accepts that raising children and other domestic issues are shared endeavors, then women will
continue to face this barrier. (Robson, 208)
Women must take on somewhat of an androgynous sex–role identity. They must not go about their
career fitting the typical gender stereotypes. They must be capable of responding with either a
masculine or feminine behavior depending on the situation they are placed in. If women are capable
of doing this they have a chance at appearing to be a competent campaigner (Robson, 2000).

Women In Politics Essay

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

More from Paper Writing Service Superiorpapers

More from Paper Writing Service Superiorpapers (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Women In Politics Essay