Gender Roles and Women in Politics

     In "The Social Construction of Gender," Judith Lorber examines how gender is performed and created as a process, system of stratification, and structure for society to organize its members within.  Although gender is neither inherently good nor bad, the ends to which it is put to use are often harmful to both individuals and society as a whole.  Lorber even goes so far as to argue "that the continuing purpose of gender as a modern social institution is to construct women as a group as subordinate to men as a group" (131).  One of the ways this occurs is through the designation of social roles along gender lines.  For example, women are encouraged to pursue careers that are almost universally lower paying and with less prestige than "male" careers.  When a woman does pursue a stereotypically "male" career path, she often faces the brunt of criticism, prejudice, and the charge that she is not truly "suited" to the profession.  In particular, women in politics are regularly belittled by the media and the public at large for things that their male colleagues are not.  A key example of this is the emphasis on the physical appearance of women politicians.  About a month ago, the following article was published in The Washington Post:

Hillary Clinton Style Evolution: A Look Back at Headbands, Scrunchies, and More


"From scrunchies to headbands, up 'dos to butterfly clips, there are few hairstyles Hillary Clinton hasn't bravely attempted.

The politico (and political wife) has made history for her accomplishments in the realm of law, politics and diplomacy. But along the way we've also been watching her style, whether it was the unfortunate hair styles, the oversized jackets, the beloved pantsuits and even a few ball gowns.

Just like in politics, Hillary's been critiqued (Tim Gunn recently questioned her borderline masculine look).

But she's stuck to her guns -- and her favorite styles. The shoulder-length blonde hair, bright colors and, yes, the pantsuits are here to stay.

In honor of the Secretary of State's 64th birthday on Wednesday, here's a look back at over three decades of Hillary Clinton's most memorable looks!"


     I could not help but wonder as I read this article why The Washington Post thought the best way to pay tribute to an astounding politician on her 64th birthday was to examine her "style evolution" rather than recounting her evolution as a lawyer, politician, and high level diplomat in her own right- UNLESS one focuses on the pronoun "her."  I keep up on the news, particularly in the realm of politics, and I have never read an editorial premised on a male politician's "style."  The media instead chooses to evaluate them based on their political success and importance because that is viewed as newsworthy- not how their style in pantsuits has changed over the years. The fact that they choose to focus on females' appearances as the most "newsworthy" part of their political careers delegitimizes them as leaders and seems like an attempt to put them "in their place" as women.