Women's Impact On American Politics

Words: 562
Pages: 3

The number of women in office is low compared to the number of political positions held in the U.S. Although several records have been set for women holding office in the past decade, even now the proportion of women in office is only 16%; meaning that on average for every five seats women hold less than one of those seats. Women typically fare better in state legislatures, but even there women hold only 23% of the seats. The scarcity of elected women is even more dramatic when one considers the gender imbalance of elected officials since the nation’s founding. Had more women held office throughout U.S. history, would we recognize today’s American politics? We can only imagine what society might look like if American government had been more inclusive over the course of its history. …show more content…
Researchers have used a variety of techniques from interviews and case studies to surveys and statistical analysis to assess the impact of women in public office. Women and men legislate concerns their legislative priorities. Studies of both state legislatures and Congress find that issues of particular importance to women were more likely to be introduced by women legislators than by men in the same position. At the critical agenda-setting or bill-introduction stage, legislators choose from among countless pressing social, economic, and political