Public Attitudes Toward Women as Public Leaders

33 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2011 Last revised: 2 Oct 2011

See all articles by Jackie Filla

Jackie Filla

affiliation not provided to SSRN; Chatham University

Christopher W. Larimer

University of Northern Iowa

Date Written: August 21, 2011

Abstract

There is a tremendous gap in representation between men and women in elected and appointed positions. The purpose of our paper is to analyze how the public perceives women's roles in government. We ask how do attitudes toward women impact the adoption of women’s interest legislation? This research seeks to enhance our understanding of the public's role in the lack of women in state level positions by asking questions concerning gender roles in society/government, gender roles in decision-making and how involved government should be in ensuring female representation on local boards/commissions and city councils. There is currently very little research concerning attitudes toward women serving in appointed advisory and decision-making boards; the bulk of the research focuses on women and representation. To study these relationships we conducted a survey of voters’ attitudes toward women in government in Pennsylvania and Iowa. We find significant differences in support for gender equality in governing and positive attributes in the qualifications and abilities of females in decision-making among male and female respondents. We also find that respondents in Iowa, which has adopted women’s interest legislation, are more supportive of women’s ability to govern but less supported of a need for government intervention to ensure women are represented compared to respondents in Pennsylvania, which has no women’s interest legislation.

Keywords: public opinion, gender politics, women's representation

Suggested Citation

Filla, Jackie and Filla, Jackie and Larimer, Christopher W., Public Attitudes Toward Women as Public Leaders (August 21, 2011). APSA 2011 Annual Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1901718

Jackie Filla (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Chatham University ( email )

106 Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
United States

Christopher W. Larimer

University of Northern Iowa ( email )

Cedar Falls, IA 50614
United States

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