The Impact of Gender and Power in Politics

Have you ever wondered why some people have a hard time imagining a woman as the leader of their country? Let's take a look at Vice President Kamala Harris' recent campaign. Despite running a solid race, she couldn't break the so-called "VP curse. " Only one sitting vice president in the last century, George H. W. Bush, has managed to win the presidency after holding the vice presidency. You might be thinking, "What does this have to do with gender? " Well, it's no secret that Harris faced a lot of criticism simply because she's a woman. Opponents often questioned if she looked or sounded like a commander in chief. It's like they were saying she wasn't strong enough for the job. This isn't new, either. Hillary Clinton faced similar issues in her 2016 presidential race. The U. S. has never had a female president, so there's no female model of presidential leadership. Many religious groups, like some Christian evangelicals and conservative Catholics, believe in patriarchal structures. They might prefer a female president who aligns with their conservative ideology, making her seem stronger and more acceptable. A 1964 movie, "Seven Days in May, " offers some interesting perspectives. In the film, a president's approval rating drops because he signs a treaty for nuclear disarmament. The joint chiefs of staff, led by a general, plot to overthrow him. The general calls the president a "weak sister, " using gender as an insult. This shows how deep-seated these views are. The film's president says the real enemy is not the general, but the age they live in. He believes people are frustrated and desperate, looking for a champion. Today, that champion could be a politician promising to "make America great again. " The good news? The fictional president in the movie ends on a hopeful note. He believes the country is strong enough to be a peacemaker. He thinks people will one day walk out of tyranny into freedom. Maybe one day, we'll see a woman leading that charge.