Gender and Politics

The unequal and gendered distribution of power and participation in American politics remains perplexing. In response to this concern, scholars have often relied upon theories originating from the disciplines of political communication, political science, and psychology to deepen our understanding of the intersection of gender and politics. This interdisciplinarity provides a foundation for the study of gender and political communication, gender and representation, and gendered roles and expectations.
Beginning with a review of the most common theoretical approaches to the study of gender and politics, this book traces the history of women’s right to vote in the U.S. and their political participation in recent years. By examining the political socialization of U.S. citizens, how they view political actors as they seek to gain voter/constituency support, the media’s gendered coverage of female and male candidates, and how candidates communicate with voters, Banwart and Bystrom show how gender stereotypes continue to play a clear and influential role in how our citizenry perceives not only politics but also those seeking to participate in it. The book also includes an analysis of the 2022 midterm election cycle to expose the lessons learned as we look forward to 2024 and beyond.
This book provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary review of the study of gender and politics through the lens of communication. It is intended as a core or supplementary text for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in communication, political science, and women’s and gender studies, as well as a resource for political campaign practitioners and candidates.