Gender barriers on the American dream
.
January 13, 2010 • Caroline Streff, Reporter
Filed under 2009-2010
Despite all the claims of a feminist triumph over our dear, almost formerly chauvinistic U-S-of-A, the female politician is still in many ways a novelty. Her face, a rare, almost soft, ripple in the sea of gray and black that is the suits of men of Capitol Hill, is more often than not marred by a steely, gimlet eyed glare, which in many cases makes her seem even less accessible than the male.
The challenges that a female politician must face are more elementary than one might suspect. Her dedication to her children, and her family, and the question of if she should run for major office, will be called into question. The allegiances of those of her own sex will be tested by the bonds of hypocrisy and political division. The smallest errors or indiscretions on her part will cripple the appearance of her integrity, and as for her credibility, shot.
As much as we may wish to believe otherwise, we still are inclined to find a woman less believable than a man, at least in the political arena. This is because women outside of the home, in powerful positions, are still considered strange in America. Well, perhaps not strange, but certainly uncommon. The existence of the female politician is most accurately described in the word, duality. Duality: not only is she expected to preserve the policies and laws she is sworn to uphold, but she must also preserve her family. The stigmas and stipulations that she must both seem to uphold and at the same time beat down are enough to crush any ordinary woman, or man, into powder. Her resolve must be steadfast; her heart unmoved; her tears forever dry before the multitude.
And yet for all this, so many have remained unyielding before the onslaught of distrust and skepticism that has pursued them since the first entrance of women into national politics in 1916. And though we may wish to believe that all is forgotten, and all are equal, this is not the case. With all the power that can be contained in body and mind, women battle past the barriers that have divided dreams from action, and slowly but surely all adversaries shall be overcome.
