Gender: Impacts on Participation in Elected Local Government

• In Event: 066 - Section on Political Sociology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 05. Politics of Gender

Abstract

This research analyzes women’s underrepresentation in elected local government and explores the particular constraints associated with this type of political participation. Theorists have identified cultural, political organizational, and social structural impediments to women's participation in politics. Additionally, gender studies scholars have noted that there are barriers to success in the workplace for women caused by a gender imbalance in work-family domestic obligations. This study examines whether or not primary responsibility for household tasks and child care is a significant impediment to participation for women in the arena of local government. There is very little empirical research on this topic at the local entry level of government utilizing the framework of work-family responsibilities. This project seeks to fill that gap. Multiple datasets, both primary and secondary sources, will be utilized: a database of elected officials, web survey results of elected officials, along with a companion telephone survey of the general population for comparative purposes. Two basic sets of comparison assessments are undertaken: 1) differences between women in elected positions in contrast to their female peers in the general population, and 2) differences between women in elected positions in contrast to their male elected peers. With the Mid-Hudson region of New York State as a study area, this study documents rates of participation and examines cultural, political, and social structural impacts, with a particular focus on work-family constraints.

Author

• Kathleen (KT) Tobin, State University of New York-New Paltz