Gender, Politics, Government, and the Military

Politics: Power

Women began voting in 1920/few/and for men

Numbers increased as women became educated and worked outside the home

GENDER GAP:

In 1980: more women than men cast ballots and women voted significantly differently than men

Underlying are viewpoints concerned with family and economic issues (females) or taxation and the national deficit (males).

War and peace: Women more apt to disagree with waging a war (WWI, Korean War, Vietnam War, Troops in Lebanon, Gulf War)

9/11 men and women equal

Death penalty: more men than women

Gun Control: women more than men

Area of agreement: environment, and reproductive freedom (women more apt to vote according to the person’s position)

Race and social class intersect with gender. See p. 302/Table 10.2

Most people vote according to issues that are salient in their lives.

Political involvement:

Few gender differences in political activism.

Uninvolved

Gender and Public Office:

191 Countries (2000) 7 female heads of government

US ranked 39th in terms of female representation world wide (1997)

Why is there a gender gap?

Boys learn they can become presidents and girls learn they can marry one.

Boys and girls show no differences in political views and one could argue it is the absence of female role models and mentors.

Women have greater domestic demands. Many enter politics after the kids are grown. May are single, or have fewer children than males.

Women are less qualified? No- prior to WWII women inherited seats when husbands or fathers were deceased and they did not have the education and background. Today they do.

Prejudice and discrimination? Sexism on decline

Many believe women are needed to balance things.

Media: women: focus on viability of campaign

Men: focus on the issues

Women: focus on female topics (education, drugs)

Men: focus on male topics (national security and trade)

Sexism and discrimination within the political parties:

Majority of party leaders are men of whom many believe that men are better suited (especially in southern states).

Incumbency and access to funds:

Incumbents hold political office. It is easier to win as an incumbent than as a challenger.

Money

PACs give more amply to white men even if solicited by women/minorities

In 1990 formation of informal political coalition as well as their PACs.

Women and men in state and local government: see page 311

2002 men dominate state and local government. At the state level women have made their greatest inroads.

Women and Men in the Fed government: See page 312

2001

Not until 1983 two female senators served via election rather than widow succession.

1992 “year of the Woman” women made significant progress in congressional office holding

Also, minority men

Often women do not hold higher positions as chairs or house speakers. Often are excluded from informal groups.

Seniority an issue

Many positions are appointed and confirmed by the Senate:

Supreme Court

9 justices/2 female

Many of the justices show bias in their hiring practices of law clerks. Only Justice Bryer has 50/50 male female (but 80%) are white

Justice / Appointed
In / Appointed
By / At Age
John G. Roberts
(Chief Justice) / 2005 / G. W. Bush / 50
John Paul Stevens / 1975 / Ford / 55
Samuel A. Alito, Jr. / 2006 / G. W. Bush / 55
Antonin Scalia / 1986 / Reagan / 50
Anthony Kennedy / 1988 / Reagan / 52
David Souter / 1990 / Bush / 51
Clarence Thomas / 1991 / Bush / 43
Ruth Bader Ginsburg / 1993 / Clinton / 60
Stephen Breyer / 1994 / Clinton / 56

Current salary for the Chief Justice is around $202,900 per year, while Associate Justices make about $194,200.

Women and Men in the Military:

The military in the US is a male dominated institution.

In 1996 VMI (VA Military Institute) was forced to admit females

WWI military nurses did not have military status/no benefits

WWI Women’s Army Core (WAC) was formed/status/benefits

WAVES( Womens’ Reserve of the Navy)

WASPS (Women’s Air Force Service Pilots)

Women considered “reserve” if needed pulled in if not pushed out. No benefits following the service, so many qualified women i.e. pilots could only work as secretaries or flight attendants.

1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act established a permanent place for women in the military, 98% of the positions were reserved for men, and how far a woman could advance was capped. And women were taught how to be ladylike in uniform. Pregnancy led to dismissal. Husbands only received benefits if she was the only source of income.

1967 congress passed public law: removed the limits of females and caps on promotions

1972 Equal rights amendment

1972 congressional hearing on the role of women in the military

1973 Draft was eliminated

1975 parenting ban was lifted/voluntary

More recent: p. 320 table 10.6

Risk rule (1970-1994) barred from ground combat and combat support jobs /killed, or captured

1994 Clinton/women pilots for combat

1999 Kosovo American women flew bombing missions for the first time

95% of all positions are open to women

Exclusion if cost of accommodation too high

Not performing in exactly the same roles may place limits on women’s careers

Sometimes the difference is semantic while the danger level is equally high

Dual serving couples my be deployed to different locales (child has to be over 4 moths)

Sexism rampant

75% of women in the military have been sexually harassed.

25% assaulted

19% raped

Not all women want to serve.