Uncovering the Origins of the Gender Gap in Political Ambition
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7595754 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Richard L Fox (0000-0002-6820-227X, Loyola Marymount University), Jennifer L Lawle (0000-0002-0543-3302, American University), Jennifer L Lawless |
| Year | 2014 |
| Volume | 108 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 499-519 |
| Publication date | 2014-08-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Political Science Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0003-0554 • E-ISSN: 1537-5943 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0003055414000227 |
| OpenAlex | W2039350129 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 184 |
| References cited | 75 |
Based on survey responses from a national random sample of nearly 4,000 high school and college students, we uncover a dramatic gender gap in political ambition. This finding serves as striking evidence that the gap is present well before women and men enter the professions from which most candidates emerge. We then use political socialization—which we gauge through a myriad of socializing agents and early life experiences—as a lens through which to explain the individual-level differences we uncover. Our analysis reveals that parental encouragement, politicized educational and peer experiences, participation in competitive activities, and a sense of self-confidence propel young people's interest in running for office. But on each of these dimensions, women, particularly once they are in college, are at a disadvantage. By identifying when and why gender differences in interest in running for office materialize, we begin to uncover the origins of the gender gap in political ambition. Taken together, our results suggest that concerns about substantive and symbolic representation will likely persist
Demographic economics · Disadvantage · Economics · Gender gap · Political science · Politics · Representation (politics · Socialization · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Politics and Representation · Gender Studies · Law · Political Science Research and Education · Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 184 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 16,73 |
| Citation span | 2015 - 2026 (12) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 182 |