Question

What personal issues and social problems do you think are behind this gender imbalance in politics?

Answer 1

It is known fact that women have had to fight a long battle in order to find a place in the society, including politics such as the basic right to vote. Even a seat at the political table and higher offices were unimaginable for women to conquer not very long back. Gender representation is still unequal and very few women are involved in politics due to very many reasons. Some have to do with the fact that a difference lies between the upbringing of the young boys and girls. Psychologists have stated through various studies that the manner in which the two genders approach a challenge has been completely different. Boys are raised to be brave and accept challenges as opportunities to prove themselves whereas girls take challenges too critically and aim at perfection rather than optimum performance. Their self esteem is more easily impacted when their credibility is in question. This has been proven through the fact that many professors reportedly viewed boys to accept a challenge as energizing and seek out for help, whereas girls were seen to be observing challenges as their own incompetency. Many other factors similar to this may have a role to play in the under-respresentation of women in politics. Moreover,the oppresion of women for endless decades may have had an impact on the collective unconscious mind, such that their own self confidence and self esteem doesn't allow them to step onto this path. Issues such as glass cieling and being under the constant radar of people may have also proven to be discomforting.