One Day University

52 percent of the population in the United States is female, and yet in the U.S. Congress 85 percent of the seats are held by men, 82 percent of governors are men, and 78 percent of state legislators are men. The same goes for almost all other major elected offices. So what is it about politics that isn’t attracting more women? It’s a question that Professor Lawless argues we should be very worried about. Indeed, when women do hold office, Lawless’ research suggests, they have an enormous influence on the democratic process. Female office holders change policy by focusing on issues like health care and education. Female legislators call more witnesses during hearings, encourage more dialogue between opposing groups, and are open to more debate — thus broadening the democratic process. Yet men still dominate the profession. Lawless examines why.