Powerful Women in a Man’s Playing Field: Gender and Politics
As more women enter the parliamentary doors we can all agree that times have changed. Prior to 1987 women had never represented more than 5% of MPs (House of Commons Library, 2017), the presence of women in parliament was virtually undetectable. Since 1918 the number of women elected as Members of the House of Commons has surpassed that of men (House of Commons Library, 2017). At a General Election in May 2015, figure 1 highlights a record high as 29% of women reflected the numbers of elected MPs (Apostolova & Cracknell, 2017).
(Apostolova & Cracknell, 2017).
It is evident that women are increasingly stepping onto a political platform, holding positions of power in the West and worldwide. After all, women fought for this right and before our very eyes we have witnessed a shift in the political paradigm. Yet, by simply turning on the television, it becomes apparent that a battle for representation and equality lingers in a covertly discriminatory air (Paxton & Hughes, 2007). In support of this, Figure 2 demonstrates that 78% of men represent parliament in the UK, in contrast to the 22% of women (Gender Equality Index, (GEI) 2012). Therefore, it is evident that males disproportionately govern politics and thus the decisions and lives of women.
Figure 2. (European Institute for Gender Equality, 2012).
The male-driven political climate trickles down into the societal structures that are known to perpetuate the second-class status of women. For example, while women represent a majority in the Education sector, men earn £2 an hour more (UK Commissions for Employment & Skills, (UKCES) 2015). Despite the fact that women outperform men in education, they tend to receive better paid jobs. Figure 3 displays the endurance of this trend, highlighting within Financial and Insurance positions women almost earn 40% less than males (UKCES, 2015). Therefore, it remains crucial that women should be evenly distributed throughout the political playing field. In hopes that it may deter the detrimental effects of penal and social policy that disproportionally disturbs the lives of women. As the conditions of inequality flow beyond the workforce into the criminal justice system, female-specific health services, the welfare state and the childcare sector (GEI, 2015).
Figure 3. (UKCES, 2015).
The political sphere has therefore become an arena that not only continues to devalue women, but promotes the illusion that their voices are justly heard (Paxton & Hughes, 2007). Although, this argument could be refuted on the grounds that currently the UKs prominent politicians are female (Jones, 2017). This may warrant the assumption that the voices of women in politics are heard. However the essential question that needs to be raised is when the voices are heard, how are women in power portrayed?
(Carbone, 2013)
When we look back and identify the prevailing women of Britain, Margret Thatcher undoubtedly enters the minds of many. After the alleged “Winter of Discontent,” the labour party lost credibility and Thatcher overwhelming won her seat in politics (Carbone, 2013). While Thatcher is renowned for carrying out a profound political revolution in the post-war era, her character remained under the spotlight (Aitken, 2013). It is noted that she mastered techniques of gendered-style flexing, the skill to enhance or minimise feminine characteristics dependent upon the surroundings (Skard, 2015). Thatcher was known to possess the ability to convert from the big bully into the weeping wife (Skard, 2015). However, while Thatcher engaged with many appearances, the status of the “Iron Lady” prevailed. Feminists often felt betrayed by this because it was thought that Thatcher played into the pretence of the honourable man (Skard, 2015). Throughout her time in power Thatcher was often referred to as ‘the best man in the country’ (Landrum, 2009), therefore her success became recognised when, Thatcher herself, was not recognised as a women.
This presence of Thatcherism appears to resonate throughout parliament today as Theresa May is coined the next Margret Thatcher (Freeman, 2016). However, when we think times have changed, a front cover by the Daily Mail reminds us the fight for gender equality is not yet over.
(Jones, 2017).
For Jones (2017) objectifying the legs of women embodies the kind of society we are entering. A country divided due to the controversial administration of Donald Trump and a Brexit referendum. And so, if women of power receive this unjust treatment, then the empowerment of ordinary women appears to be an exceptionally difficult task. The equality of women in power appears to reflect a paradox. While female politicians are admired for breaking barriers, they’re celebrated when possessing cold and harsh qualities that somehow separates them from their female counterparts. It is therefore evident that an insidious undercurrent perpetuates the inequalities among females, maybe it’s up to politicians to set an example. While society witnesses more women walking through the parliamentary doors, what would be better is a society that doesn’t publicise their legs when doing so.
Bibliography
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