We have seen and studied ageism in politics. Reagan's opponents questioned whether he was capable of the presidency at his age. More recently, in the 2008 presidential election, McCain was also attacked for his greater age. Old age is consistently associated with mental and physical weakness. With the rise of female politicians, sex has become more visibly associated with weakness in politics.
Hillary Clinton is probably the most well-known female potential candidate for the next election. Her daughter's pregnancy has stirred concerns over whether becoming a grandmother will affect her presidential aims. These concerns are sexist. There have been numerous presidential candidates and serving presidents who were grandfathers and grandfathers-to-be. Why is being a grandmother any different?
I predict that the growing numbers of females in politics will make sexism an even more obvious prejudice. However, I am not too sure about how and if sexism will decline. Ageism is an age old prejudice (no pun intended) that still continues today. How is sexism any different? What are your predictions?
Here is a source I used to see discussion over Clinton's upcoming grandmotherhood. http://news.yahoo.com/chelsea-clinton-baby-hillary-clinton-less-likely-run-225600431.html
I agree with you on the fact that ageism had been around forever and doesn't seem to be going away. And i think it is very likely that the same thing could be said for the projected life of sexism in politics. I think the only way that either of those things can change is by having people stand up and question the stereotypes. Seeing as we are living in an age where this practice of asking why stereotypes are perpetuated even when they are not true, I think there could be a brighter future for both ageism and sexism in politics. If people stand up and question the stereotypes that women are too emotionally connected to their ideas to make good decisions in their jobs, that men who are too old can't handle an intense job, or that men who are too young don't know enough to handle big jobs responsibly, then those stereotypes can change. However, if we just stand by and do nothing, or if we actively perpetuate those negative stereotypes then they will remain where they are.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you pointed out that people have been saying that her grandmotherhood may affect her presidency. I completely agree with you that people have been saying that, but shouldn't it be something that people look up to her for? The fact that her daughter is having a baby should make it easier for them to relate to her and make her seem more in touch with the American people. As we have learned in class many times, presidents who have not been in touch with the people(BUSH) have not been especially effective.
ReplyDeleteJenna, I totally agree about becoming a grandmother should make her more relatable. However, I think the issue honestly is that she is a women. Since, there has never been a female president in the US the media is just more hypercritical of her. I think the way that the media will connect Chelsea's pregnancy back to Hilary in a negative light is when Chelsea will be criticized for her parenting skills and the media will create the issue of how can Hilary Clinton be president when she can't even supposedly raise her children in the "right" way?
ReplyDeleteIt really goes back to that age old characterization of women's actions as emotionally connected and of men's actions as not emotionally connected. Hillary Clinton, just like Rachel carson is being criticized for her emotional connections. Hillary's emotional connections are with her family, and Rachel Carson's were with the natural world, but both are being criticized for these emotional connections where a man would not. I think you make an interesting point Katheline by saying that she will be criticized on her daughters parenting choices, because that is yet another way in which she is being treated differently than a man. When a man has children that go astray it is never seen as the fault of the father's parenting, but on the women's supposed inabilities. If men's success is not measured by their ability to raise children then why should ours be?
ReplyDeleteBeing a woman in the political realm is a mixed blessing. Being the only viable female candidate, she intrinsically relates with FIFTY PERCENT of the population. I think it is undeniable that the majority of female voters would vote for another woman if they knew nothing else about the candidates.
ReplyDeleteI believe the reason why Clinton is not president is because of her husband's tendency to lie, and her own failure to campaign as effectively as other candidates. Not because she is a female.