In 2016 we had the most dramatic example of the challenges of women in politics in the US -- the first major party woman candidate for president, who appeared close to winning (and did win the popular vote), and then lost. 2016A record-breaking number of women have won seats in Congressfrom different background color, race, and religion and sex orientation. These women make U.S history in U.S congressA study from political analytics expert Amelia Showalterpreviously found that when more women are elected to statewide offices like governor, senator, and attorney general, the number of women in the state legislature saw significant increases down the line.
For our discussion, address some or all of the following questions:
What role do you think that sexism played in how Hillary Clinton was treated as a candidate?And how other women were treated.
Do you think their role is symbolic? Or Push back against Trump attitude against women?
What do other people you know think about the issue?
What do you think the prospects are for a woman candidate to be successful in the US in the near future?
Why do you think other countries have been more successful at electing women leaders than the US (when we like to think of ourselves as one of the most gender - equal countries of the world)?
Try to relate ideas from the lecture and readings!
https://www.vox.com/2016/6/6/11829852/clinton-woman-effect