I think Howard Dean should leave politics and let him wife run for office.
-Rudey
--He's just another rich white boy taking a spot away from minorities, women, and the less-advantaged
Quote:
Originally posted by XOMichelle
I am not suggesting that anyone IS saying they are less capable. (I listed 3 possible reasons women would not be elected, and actually losing to a male opponent was only one of the 3).
I also don't feel the answer to this statistic is "women don't run, so how can we elect them?". There must be a reason why women don't run! The same way there are hypotheses why women (and other minorities) are still not well-represented in the higher corporate positions. The answer is certainly complex, but taking it to the next level and considering what subtle cultural forces and trends might be driving this fact is necessary.
I think the statistic itself is disheartening. Although it is completely possible for women to run for offices, somehow in our culture women don't want to, or feel they are not suitable. It begs 2 questions: Why do women feel they are not suitable? and Why do women chose other, sometimes very typically female, careers? I don't have an answer to that, although I know I am a product of it. I work in an 80 person department with 7 men (early childhood education anyone?). I want to be more involved in public health, and health policy—areas teaming with female RN’s. I have considered a political career and decided not to do it. My reasons are personal, but are they also a reflection of what women in my position everywhere think?
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