Women vs. the Likability Factor

We are witnessing the rise of powerful female politicians around the world. New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Arden, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are all iconic and influential, though they have undoubtedly faced a plethora of obstacles in the political world. Although women’s roles in politics are increasing and this change is creating a progressive revolution, the international political scene is built and functions to reject the feminine. 

Women are immediately placed at a disadvantage because culturally ingrained gender roles and stereotypes subject women to an entirely different, irrelevant, and sexist set of standards. The media fascinates itself with scrutiny regarding a woman’s outfit, hair, tone of voice, etc., a focus that is nowhere near pertinent to healthcare and environmental policies, nor are they imposed on men. Even in the realm of politics, women are defined by their appearance and their relationships with men. The terms and expectations imposed on female politicians such as a “mother”, “sister”, or a “schoolteacher” undermine these women’s success and force them into a maternal, traditionally feminine role.  

During Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, she was labeled as “shrill”, “aloof”, and “unlikeable,” descriptions that we have seen mirrored during discussions regarding Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren years later. Female politicians are often dismissed as unlikeable and domineering as a response to their assertiveness because society has an inherent fear of feminine authority. Women who strongly assert their views are viewed as a condescending mother figure due to the conviction that masculinity is attained by status, while femininity is defined by natural reproductive functions. These ideas, which are only social constructs and usually subconscious biases, depict men as leaders and women as maternal. In order for politics to be equally accessible among the genders, the notion of emasculating female politicians must be eliminated. 

But “likability” is not actually a valid expectation for women because it is not a basis on which we support and elect politicians. Bernie Sanders’s cranky Jewish grandfather brand has led him to be adored and respected by people of all demographics, including myself. Donald Trump is bigoted, ignorant, and incompetent and has several sexual assault allegations, yet he was elected President and his presidency is likely to continue for a second term. Even many of those who adamantly support Trump have stated that they dislike him as a person, but would still vote for him because of his policies. On the other hand, likeability is an undefined and perpetually out of reach goal that is demanded of women, but not of their male counterparts because politics, specifically those in America, are shaped by a sexist double standard. 

We are doing a tremendous disservice to the success of America by blocking the path of female politicians. It is crucial that the United States fosters a political environment with tendencies that do not stifle the voices and suppress the rise of women.