The Political Consequences of Being a Woman: How Stereotypes Influence the Conduct and Consequences of Political Campaigns (Power, Conflict, and Democracy: American Politics Into the 21st Century) - Softcover

Kahn, Kim Fridkin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0231103034 ISBN 13: 9780231103039

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 1996

Synopsis

Kahn examines the impact of sex role stereotyping on the electability of women candidates, and as a central factor in the conduct and consequences of statewide campaigns.

About this title

Review:

Here, at last, is a data-based study that clearly delineates how stereotypes affect candidate campaign styles, media coverage, and voters' perceptions in senatorial and gubernatorial election campaigns. While the focus is on stereotypes of women candidates, the findings and conclusions have meaning for the full range of stereotypes that pervade the political thinking of millions of Americans.

Synopsis:

Women currently hold 20 per cent of seats in US state legislatures, but only 6 per cent of US senate and governorships. This book examines the impact of sex role stereotyping on the electability of women candidates and as a central factor in the conduct and consequences of state-wide campaigns. Focusing on candidates, the media and voters, the book explores how women's perceived liabilities and capabilities affect the outcome of campaigns. Women candidates, the book discovers, not only experience stereotyping by editors and reporters and in turn, by voters, but actually prepare for it, choosing to emphasize themes that are consistent with what people expect. Though women candidates may believe that fulfilling the public's expectations will be effective, the author affirms that the limiting factors of these stereotypes deny women's access to elected office.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0231103034
• ISBN 13: 9780231103039
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 204