Women Active, But Not in Politics

by Celinda Lake, President of Lake Sosin Snell & Associates research firm and co-author of Women’s Voices `96

Women today are not as involved in politics as they are in other areas and they are cynical about politics in general. In fact, our recent polling indicates that women are three times as likely to have volunteered for a community, religious or school organization as they are to have volunteered for a political candidate. Even women who are extremely active in other areas shy away from participating in politics. Also, a disproportionate number of voters who participate irregularly in elections are women, particularly non-college educated women.
In the Women’s Voices ’96 study we conducted for CPA, we asked women to choose adjectives to describe how they felt about politics: almost one woman in five chose the word "frustrated." "Disillusioned" and "disgusted" also made strong showings. In all, over two-thirds of the women we interviewed chose a negative word to describe politics in our country. Something is terribly wrong here.
The pressures of a dual role many women play today certainly have an effect on their political participation. More than a third of women said they think it is hard to find time to get involved. More disturbingly, 40 percent said they either feel their vote does not make a difference, or they are so angry at the politicians they don’t want to get involved. These women are the alienated public: they are angry at politicians for a government they believe should be doing more to solve our national problems and they still believe government could make a difference for their families.
Our focus groups show that women are looking for politics that matters for their lives. American women worry first about financial concerns — "making ends meet." They worry about paying bills, the rising costs of health care, the costs of education, and paying taxes (49 to 66 percent). They worry about violence (60 percent), particularly in the schools. They worry about something getting done for their children and families. They are looking for economic security and safety.
Women are not involved in politics out of frustration. Until they see a government that is responsive to their concerns, they are likely to continue doing things they feel will make a difference: contributing in their communities, schools, and religious organizations.