Gender and American Politics Richard M. Skinner

Women’s Suffrage Wyoming Territory allowed women to vote in (New Jersey had allowed some women to vote from 1776 to 1807). But it was not until the early 20 th century that women’s suffrage became a powerful nationwide cause, closely aligned with the reform movements of the Progressive Era.

Women’s Suffrage Between 1910 and 1918, 11 states voted to allow women to vote. In 1919, Congress passed the 19 th Amendment, which established women’s right to vote on a national basis. It was ratified in 1920, although it took decades for women’s turnout to catch up with men’s. Since about 1980, women have voted at slightly higher rates than men.

The “Gender Gap” For decades, there was little difference between the voting habits of men and women. Indeed, it was often assumed that wives would vote as their husbands told them. If anything, women often voted slightly more Republican, perhaps because more upscale women were more likely to turn out at the polls.

The Women’s Movement The women’s movement of the 1960s and 1970s put several issues on the political agenda: equal pay, day care, abortion. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, almost as an afterthought, banned employment discrimination based on gender.

Working Women The percentage of adult women working outside the home increased significantly between 1960 and 1990: 1960: 38% 1970: 43% 1980: 51% 1990: 57% 2000: 58%

Educated Women The percentage of women with college degrees also increased during this period: 1960: 6% 1970: 8% 1980: 14% 1990: 18% 2000: 23%

“The Gender Gap” Men and women’s voting habits began diverging in the 1980s and 1990s. Ronald Reagan’s pro-defense, anti-tax, anti- welfare views attracted many men to the Republican Party. His opposition to the ERA and abortion rights alienated many feminists, but appealed to some more traditional women.

Women and the Democrats Women’s rights activists became increasingly active in the Democratic Party leading to Geraldine Ferraro’s selection as the party’s VP nominee in The rise in the numbers of working and college-educated women provided a popular base for feminism.

1992: Year of the Woman EMILY’s List (founded 1985), has sought to elect more pro-choice Democratic women to office. It was a major force behind the “Year of the Woman,” when in 1992, four Democratic women were elected to the Senate and 23 to the House. Since then, the number of Democratic women in Congress has steadily grown, while the number of Republicans has stagnated. About 70% of the women in Congress are Democrats.

The First Female President? Women were critical to Bill Clinton’s two victories; he never carried a plurality of men. Hillary Rodham Clinton was the first serious female candidate for president. In the 2008 Democratic primaries, she frequently won 60% or more of the votes of white women. Among Republicans, Mike Huckabee fared especially well among women, particularly those who share his evangelical faith. Ron Paul probably had the most male-dominated following of any candidate of either party.

The Partisan Gap In 2008, 56% of women voted for Obama, but only 49% of men did. This was a typical “gender gap.” This gap was slightly narrower among whites, since minority voters are disproportionately female.

Do Women Care More? Women are notably more likely to support government aid to the disadvantaged. They tend to be more risk-averse, and more likely to believe that they may someday need assistance. Women generally rate issues such as education and health care as being more important. Men are more likely to give priority to defense and taxes.

Are Men More Violent? Women are consistently less likely to support the use of force than are men. This translates into large gender gaps on: Gun control. Defense issues. Death penalty.

Are Men More Violent? Which is more important: to protect gun- owners’ rights, or to control gun ownership? (Percentage declaring “gun- owners’ rights”): Men: 46% Women: 30% (Pew Center for People and the Press, May 14,2008).

Abortion, Gender Roles? Differences between men and women on “social issues” such as abortion and gender roles are surprisingly slight. Women are somewhat more sympathetic to gay rights. They are also more hostile to pornography and more concerned about indecency in the media. On issues such as abortion, differences between groups of women are larger than those between men and women.

“Career Women” Women who lean liberal on social issues and vote Democratic are more likely to be: College-educated. Secular. Employed outside the home (60% for Obama). Unmarried (70% for Obama).

“Church Ladies” Women who are more conservative on social issues and vote more Republican are more likely to be: Non-college-educated. Church-going. Stay-at-home moms.