Psychologically and socially speaking, when we talk to a person, the amount of respect we hold for that person is reflected in how we address them. When we have more respect for a person, it’s been proven that we address them by their last name as opposed to just their first name, as well as any corresponding titles. Notice how, in politics, when we address Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, we are more comfortable addressing them by just their first names. However, when we refer to Donald Trump or Joe Biden, we are more comfortable calling them just Trump or Biden. This again reflects the fact that statistically speaking, we are more comfortable assigning women in politics with less respect than men. This inconsistency is blatant when we look at how women in politics are referred to as opposed to their male counterparts. 

       Another reason for this lack of respect is the ability for women to even get into office to begin with. A study done by the Pew Research Center in 2018 says that most people think that men have an easier time getting put in positions of power in the political realm than women. This source also says that women are far more likely to experience setbacks and expectations that prevent women from gaining power as opposed to men, and that 65% of Americans say it is easier for men to get elected than women. 

       When we look at how women have been blatantly disrespected for decades, whether or not they are in political positions, we can see how all of what has been stated prior isn’t that far from the truth. Although we are in what is considered to be a more progressive era, there is still systemic discrimination against women and other groups of people. 

       If we look at this issue, not so much from a social perspective, but from a statistical perspective, the notion that women in politics are less respected holds true. A study by the Pew Research Center in 2020 says that 67% of women face gender discrimination which is the direct result of a lack of respect. 

        When we look at the fact that only one woman, Vice President Harris, has had the honor of serving the position of Vice President and even more so at the fact that all the rest have been men, the gender discrimination is evident. Some people would be willing to argue the point that women not being respected isn’t the most important issue and other societal issues should get more attention. Although there are other important issues in American society, in order to develop and maintain a welcoming and progressive work environment and political realm, we must first start with giving all people the same modicum of respect and acknowledgment if we wish to move further. 

       Just to put it into perspective, let’s ask ourselves: What political positions have never been held by women? 

Some positions that have never been held by women in the United States, as of 2024, include but are not limited to: 

• President of the United States. (As of September 2024)
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Founded 1949)
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Founded 1789)
• Chief of Staff to the President. (Founded 1946)
• Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (Founded 1908)
• Director of the National Security Agency. (Founded 1952)
• Secretary of Defense. (Founded 1947)
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Founded 1989)
• Senate Majority Leader. (Founded 1920’s)
• NASA Administrator. (Founded 1958)
• Ambassadorships to China, Israel, and Russia. 

       In a historical context, a lot of people haven’t had much respect for women in politics. This is displayed in what is written prior and what you can witness as an individual in any number or ways. The news, articles, tabloids, or personal experience. Any way you put it, women are referred to with less respect than men in politics and in many other instances. 

                                                                                      Works Cited

Pew Research Center | Nonpartisan, nonadvocacy, public opinion polling and data-driven social science research | Pew Research Center, 2024, https://www.pewresearch.org/. Accessed 9 September 2024.

“Women and the Presidency: History & Facts.” Center for American Women and Politics, 2024, https://cawp.rutgers.edu/women-and-presidency-history-facts. Accessed 9 September 2024.

“Positions in the federal government never held by women.” Center for Presidential Transition, 13 March 2024, https://presidentialtransition.org/blog/positions-in-the-federal-government-never-held-by-women-2/. Accessed 11 September 2024.