The Misrepresentation and Underrepresentation of Women in U.S. Politics

Abstract

The underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women in United States politics are conditions that have existed for centuries. Women have been underrepresented because of the perceptions masculinism and gender hierarchy have created. These ideologies privilege men and masculine qualities, which puts women at a disadvantage. Research has shown that women are just as successful as men when running for office. Women, however, remain underrepresented primarily because they choose not to run. A few reasons why women choose not to run are that their roles as wives and mothers may interfere with their candidacies and they tend to have less money, fewer political contacts, and less appropriate employment histories. Aside from women choosing not to run, there are some other reasons why women are underrepresented in United States politics and these are referred to as barriers that need to be overcome. Some of these barriers are social and gendered stereotypes, incumbency, sex discrimination and the political system itself. These barriers pose a problem because they deter women from running for office and they keep the women who run from succeeding. Women have successfully weakened many of these barriers but there is still progress to be made in order for them to reach parity.