America, home of the brave and land of the free, is also one of the few ‘industrialized’ countries that has never had a female leader. Until 2016 there had never even been a female candidate for a major political party in the United States. The lack of women in power has no single reason, rather it is a compilation of attitudes, excuses, and prejudices. One of the most recognizable female politicians is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. While running for presidential election, Hillary Rodham Clinton faced backlash for her voice, her likeability, and her credibility.
As a politician Hillary Clinton gave a lot of speeches, her voice was heard around the world, and the population of the United States had many varying opinions about it. In an article analyzing her two memoirs D.S. Kaufer and S.J. Parry-Guiles, recognized that female politicians must “closely monitor their vocal qualities…if she was too emotional she was told to stop screaming…she was told her laugh was too ‘shrill’ or ‘grating’” (22). Clinton could not please people with her tone quality; it was either too loud and harsh, or she was not passionate enough. Hillary Clinton also had to watch what she said, who she brought up, and how much credit she took for her success. In her second book, Hard Choices, Hillary talked about economics, as well as the need for more U.S. jobs (Kaufer 13). As she was Secretary of State at the time, her views were taken as an overstep. Noted by Clinton herself, rarely before had this position taken a stance on economic issues. After a wonderful addition to her family, Hillary Clinton added a chapter to her book about becoming a grandmother. Her audience found her descriptive words, such as “wonderful, happy and giddy” to be “uncharacteristic of a Secretary” (Kaufer 19). Having to battle being too serious, too family involved, a cold woman who doesn’t care about her family, and being likeable has lead to many differing opinions of the former Secretary of State.
Hillary Clinton has been in the public eye for around 30 years. Even though she has been a public figure for so long, most people still find her ‘strongly unfavorable’ as polls found. Public Religion Research Institute found that 52% of white men find her ‘very unfavorable’ (Beinart 15). Perhaps men find her so unlikable simply because she is a woman. A University of Florida study found that the one thing men fear most is becoming subordinate to a woman (16). Whether it be a boss, a teacher or a politician males do not respond as strongly to women. Gloria Steinem pointed out that “we associate female authority with childhood”. Steinem makes this argument to show why she believes males are taken more seriously. As most people grow up with a mother in charge, this female authority becomes normalized, making a male authority seem “more appropriate to the adult world”. Finally, Steinem concludes that the public doesn’t feel comfortable taking orders from a woman because “the last time they saw a powerful woman they were 8” (CTFORUM). Hillary Clinton has faced this uncomfortable aggression her whole career. A statement by Susan Reverby, the woman’s studies professor at Wellesley, argued “there’s a kind of deep-rooted fear of her, and anger that she’s in the room and that she shouldn’t be there” (Salgado 14). In the United States the public is uncomfortable with a female showing a desire to achieve. This idea has been backed by research done by American University as they found “Clinton has generally grown more popular when she stops seeking an office and begins occupying it” (Beinart 16). Though Hillary is one of the most popular targets for this type of harassment, it has been seen by all female politicians. Nonpartisan foundations such as the Barbara Lee Family foundation has given out advice for their female candidates. Some of this advice is to not “take credit all the time… share credit with your team” (Phillips). Females are also told not to use pictures of only them, to use “informal photos…engaging in community” (Phillips). All of these tips are in an effort to be more liked by the public. Male politicians are seen by voters as more charismatic and likeable. Hillary is often compared to her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Kaufer discusses their differences by noting, “Bill Clinton could seamlessly move back and forth between Yale and Arkansas…Hillary defaulted to Yale” (22). People have long found it hard to ‘connect’ with Clinton, calling her elitist. However, her husband, who went to the same school as her, and shares her same political views, is seen as more of a ‘good old boy’ even though he has held the highest political positon in America. For most of the United States it is hard to identify with her, and even harder to trust her.
A female being unprepared, and not strong enough to control an entire country is often cited as the main reason for not electing a female president. Hillary Clinton has long been regarded as not prepared enough for the job, whatever that ‘job’ may be. Elizabeth Shermer noted, that during the 2016 presidential election opponent “Trump often speculated Clinton didn’t look presidential and attacked her health and fitness” (Salgado 14). It seems unreasonable for a female to be held to fitness standards in order to hold a political office. “If you are a woman you don’t just have to do the job, but do the job better than anyone else has ever done the job” (Salgado 14). On her way to trying to be the first female president, Hillary Clinton held many official titles. She held United States Senator from New York, U.S. Secretary of State, Democratic Party official nominee, as well as First Lady of both United States and Arkansas. Clinton raised awareness for children in need, education, women’s rights, and marriage equality. However, most people still find her either not qualified enough, or off-putting about her accomplishments. In a statement by Parry-Guiles he talks about how, “she never let readers forget that by the time she became first lady, her political record was already longer…than most established political candidates” (17). It was hard for Hillary to break down the publics belief that she was simply a house wife with big dreams. In order to seem more competent she took to repeating her many credits, some people felt too often they were reminded. Many said, “Clinton had for decades been scheming her way into the presidency” (Kaufer 15). Though male politicians may change their mind, any change by Clinton was seen as a shady lie to earn more votes. A fate encountered by many of the few female leaders is a lack of respect and confidence. Research finds that women leaders are less likely than their male counterparts to be accepted as legitimate. Especially in America, where “42% of Americans believed the U.S. has become ‘too soft and feminine’” (Beinart 17). No matter what she did, she could not please the voters.
Hillary Rodham Clinton faced backlash during the presidential election of 2016 due to her public appearance, her ability to connect with the audience, and the general populations confidence in her faculties. Only 63 out of 142 nations have had a female in charge of a government (Salgado 14). This is a claim that the United States of America can not hold, even though it declares itself to be a land of opportunities and freedom for all. People are wary to say Hillary Clinton faced sexism throughout her political career, instead, wanting to blame it on her views and how she conducts herself. Some believe that the world has entered a “post-feminism era, that women are equal” (Salgado 14). To those people I point out the treatment of the very first female winner of the popular vote for President. Hillary Clinton was not treated with the same respect, compassion, and forgiveness of a male politician, and in this way, the lack of equality between males and females should be apparent.
Sources
Beinart, Peter. “Fear of a Female President.” Dispatches, October 2016. Pp 15-17.
CTFORUM. Gloria Steinem on Hillary Clinton and Female Authority. Online video clip. YouTube,
October 18, 2012. Web. April 13, 2017.
Kaufer, David S. and Shawn J. Parry-Guiles. “Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign Memoirs: A
Study in Contrasting Identities.” Quarterly Journal of Speech, vol. 103, no. ½, Feb-May
2017, pp. 7-32. EBSCOhost doi: 10.1080/00335630.22016.1221529
Phillips, Amber. “Analysis Hillary Clinton says ‘misogyny played a role’ in her loss. The
Washington Post. WP company, 08 April 2017. Web. 13. April 2017
Salgado, Soli. “A Milestone Delayed.” Reporter, December 2016 p. 14.