What role does gender play in how we view and engage in politics?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

For much of American history gender was of little use in explaining political opinions and behavior other than showing that females tended to be less active in politics and less warlike in their political attitudes. Beginning in the 1960s, however, views and expectations of the role of women in society and politics changed considerably. Since that time women have gained more education, entered the workforce in increasing numbers, and become more politically active. Political attitudes of men and women have also become more divergent as part of the so-called gender gap. While women’s ideological views have not changed significantly since the 1970s, they tend to be more liberal than men, whose views have steadily shifted, with more men identifying themselves as conservative. Women are clearly more liberal on social welfare policies and tend to be less supportive of the death penalty and less prone to support going to war. The gender gap is less profound on such things as abortion and equality in the workplace. The authors suggest that these gender based differences could be attributed to different socialization experiences and life situations.