Inspiring Civic Engagement in Girls
Did you know that by middle school 75% of girls consider political leadership a man’s world?¹ Even with some recent strides, we are far from reaching gender parity in political leadership with approximately 30% of elected officials at the local, state, and congressional levels being women. Why do children develop this view about gender and politics and what can we, caregivers and educators, do about it?
A compelling research study released last year directly pointed to gendered political socialization as the main culprit. Children internalize that boys are more compatible with political leadership starting at a young age and the gap grows through adolescence. The stereotypical representation of political leaders as assertive and competitive is often associated with masculinity and then reinforced with mock school elections and student government elections. This is then compounded by the media’s coverage of men exhibiting “power-seeking behaviors as opposed to collaborative, cooperative, and communal-oriented behaviors”.¹ The political environment has been less than welcoming to anyone, particularly girls, who approach and address issues differently than what is portrayed in media. However, this research does not address how complex this issue is when we also consider the intersectionality of identities among girls, including cultural and socioeconomic barriers, to building the skills required to navigate this so-called “man’s world”.
So what can be done to help improve girls’ political interest? Employing a wide range of interventions, like those in STEM fields, is imperative in closing the gender gap in the political landscape. Here are a few steps caregivers and educators can take to spark civic and political interest in girls:
Expose them to female political figures to expand their views and ideas on the traits associated with political leaders. Incorporate books and media representing women from diverse political backgrounds into your home library. Talk to their teachers about incorporating these women into the curriculum.
Educate them on how women remain under-represented among government leaders because knowing this reality can empower them to change it.
Engage in conversation about political issues and discuss how they are being addressed individually and collectively. Ask them questions about current events that facilitate critical thinking. Don’t tell them what to think, but do tell them why voting is important and how the political process works. Take them with you to vote!
Invite them to share dissenting views and opinions at home. As a parent, you may not want to hear it but it’s at home where they build the confidence to use their voice and speak out.
Empower them to engage in social action. Help to identify a social problem that she is interested in and brainstorm an action plan. Volunteer together! Help them see that their actions can make a difference.
Activism can be frustrating. Validate her lived experience and perspective. Help them remain passionate about their cause but help them manage short-term and long-term goals and expectations.
Tell them to run for office or lead a club in their school. Encourage them to consider political leadership for their career. Young women tend towards public service, but more typically in the non-profit or educational arenas. Elected leadership is the highest form of public service and can change lives.
Addressing the gender gap in political leadership is a lot more complex than it seems, and a lot of the work begins at home and schools starting at a young age. What steps have you taken? Share your tips and suggestions!
¹BOS, A., GREENLEE, J., HOLMAN, M., OXLEY, Z., & LAY, J. (2022). This One’s for the Boys: How Gendered Political Socialization Limits Girls’ Political Ambition and Interest. American Political Science Review, 116(2), 484-501. doi:10.1017/S0003055421001027
