tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35553161.post4496298923912453163..comments2023-08-18T14:38:45.792+00:00Comments on In the company of wolves: equal representation, not sexual divisionjenglohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14409125132685216496noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35553161.post-68802322208277458122008-06-03T09:00:00.000+00:002008-06-03T09:00:00.000+00:00I think ALL of the factors you've mentioned are th...I think ALL of the factors you've mentioned are the reasons why there is such a gender imbalance in parliament. The ingrained patriarchy of government is the first barrier in the way, but this - as it has in the cases of business and education - can change - it just seems to be taking a lot longer than in other areas of life. The patriarchal traditions you mention are definitely off-putting: there is not enough to entice women into government, and then there is not enough to hold them in once they're there. <BR/><BR/>It is unfortunately the case that women voters will mostly vote for men. It is part of the same ingrained aspect to patriarchal societies - whether it be consciously or unconsciously, women (and men) have been bred to believe that only men can lead and rule. There are some very welcome signs of change - Hilary Clinton's advances in the States for example... among others, such as Sweden's 50/50 government and Spain's predominantly female parliament. Perhaps the UK will get there eventually...jenglohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14409125132685216496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35553161.post-41729316028796497552008-06-02T16:20:00.000+00:002008-06-02T16:20:00.000+00:00I find it interesting that this issue arises at al...I find it interesting that this issue arises at all, given that women account for roughly 50% of the population. Is it due to the voting public, in general, voting against female candidates when they are contesting a seat? Or is it that they are not winning selection within their parties to contest a seat? Or are there just not that many women with a keen enough interest in politics and the desire to run?<BR/><BR/>Some people refer to politics as a boys club, and to be honest, the way the media reports on the antics of male politicians, I can understand that sentiment. Is it the behind the scenes. party room and question time behaviour of male politicians that is responsible?<BR/><BR/>I don't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com