Women President

Ewa Wolsztyniak-King

Professor Joyce Gelb

FIQWS 10048 – Gender and Politics in the United States

November 25, 2008

WHY HAS THE UNITED STATES NOT HAD A WOMAN PRESIDENT?

Women have held top political positions in many countries around the world. Some of these countries such as Sri Lanka, Turkey and Pakistan are not necessarily considered “pro-woman” or politically progressive. The United States considers itself the most progressive democracy in the world, yet no woman has ever held the top political position of president or vice president

Looking at the current climate of women’s issues with politics, it is just a matter of time before a woman will hold the position of president or vice-president in the United States. This is a relatively young country founded on social values passed down from traditional Western European schools of thought where women have been primarily positioned as a wife and mother instead of a respected player in business and politics.

While women stayed at home and cared for children, men were developing contacts and gaining political know-how. Moreover, traditional women’s occupations such as teacher and nurse did not introduce women to politically active individuals.

Media plays a valuable role in presenting candidates to the American voting public. A media bias against women exists in the United States. The first woman to run for president was Victoria Woodhull in 1872. Since that time, fifteen other women have been nominated by their respective parties. Most of these women remained relatively unknown, and did not receive any substantial media coverage. The way the media portrays a candidate has a direct impact on the presentation of the candidate to the public.

According to Kim Fridkin Kahn, women are portrayed as less viable than men, and the media coverage for women is less issue oriented. Based on this concept, men are more trustworthy in dealing with military, whereas women are more honest, less dependable on...