Women make up half the population of the United States, so, one would think women would make up half of Congress. Well, statistically, that is far from the truth. Roughly 20 percent of the United States Congress is comprised of women. Because of the disparity between men and women in Congress, women in the United States lack descriptive representation and substantive representation. Descriptive representation refers to whether your Congressperson “looks” like their constituents. Descriptive representation could be in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. Substantive representation is the tendency of elected legislators to act on behalf of certain groups. For example, a legislator might advocate for a gun rights bill on behalf of the NRA.
Electing more women to Congress could change descriptive and substantive representation …show more content…
Differences exist; female senators still meet to have regular dinners, when two female candidates run against each other some people call it a “cat fight”. Sexism is still present, but attitudes and opinions are changing; slowly at times, but unmistakably. When looking at the big picture, female senators still go to work every day, talk to their constituents, lobby for legislation, and roll up their sleeves just like their male colleagues. It is not the differences between male and female senators that set them apart, but the way they are treated and perceived.
While the differences between male and female legislators may not be stark, the differences in substantive representation can be at times. As women make up half the population, women deserve more substantive representation in Congress and more legislators looking out for them. The best way to achieve more substantive representation for women is by simply electing more women because, generally speaking, women look out for other
Electing more women to Congress could change descriptive and substantive representation …show more content…
Differences exist; female senators still meet to have regular dinners, when two female candidates run against each other some people call it a “cat fight”. Sexism is still present, but attitudes and opinions are changing; slowly at times, but unmistakably. When looking at the big picture, female senators still go to work every day, talk to their constituents, lobby for legislation, and roll up their sleeves just like their male colleagues. It is not the differences between male and female senators that set them apart, but the way they are treated and perceived.
While the differences between male and female legislators may not be stark, the differences in substantive representation can be at times. As women make up half the population, women deserve more substantive representation in Congress and more legislators looking out for them. The best way to achieve more substantive representation for women is by simply electing more women because, generally speaking, women look out for other