Women voters are not a niche

[Ellen Forradalom]

This is a public service announcement made on behalf of people who are female. It is not endorsed by any candidate.

I'd like to remind those who have been dismissing millions of American female voters in one tart sentence that "omen are not monolithic in their attitudes about, or votes within, the political system."

Much like men,

It is impossible to divide the life experiences and attitudes of American women into the binary Republican and Democrat categories. As women take more than their political ideology to the polls, politicians must be cognizant of the life stages, as well as the demographic categories, into which women fall. A concept we frequently use at my firm, the polling company,™ inc./WomanTrend, is the “Three Faces of Eve,” which is illustrated through the three very distinct lives a 48-year-old woman in this country might have. She could be a blue-collar grandmother, an unmarried and childless professional, or a married mother of two young children. Technically, they would all fall into the same age and gender demographic categories, but their life experiences vastly differ, resulting in varied perspectives on the current state of affairs. Politics is not an isolated category for women; rather, politics is an all-encompassing arena into which women export their life experiences, needs, and expectations.

Source: http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itdhr/1007/ijde/conway.htm

[Captain Hilts]

1. Women do not vote as a bloc, BUT they do show patterns....

single women being much more liberal than married women, for example.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. Indeed.

Again, just like men.

I've seen a few posts here dissing "women voters" which I find strangely out of character for DU. So I am just reminding everyone that we're more than just 'women voters.'

[suston96]

3. I don't follow all that but I know one thing......

....women and blacks are faced with something they have never seen before: one of their own running and contending seriously for the Presidency of the United States.

I say that throws out all the conventional wizardry about voting demographics and leaves us with a very simple fact: each person in each group will vote based on the arousals and inclinations such choices now bring them.

May they be inspired to make good choices that leave them fulfilled.

[Captain Hilts]

4. A good post. Overall, women lean Democratic. Black voters, DO vote as a bloc...

in a way women do not.

This election will be interesting. One of the reasons I voted for Doug Wilder was he was not Marshall Coleman, the Republican, who was - and probably still is - an idiot. But the fact that Wilder was black gave an enthusiasm to my vote that would not have been there. Same with Obama or Clinton, should they become the nominee of the Democratic Party. It just carbonates the vote whichever of them is the nominee.

ps. I was in polling for eight years.

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. I admit there's a pleasure in being mirrored

It is validating in a way that white men have always taken for granted.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Yes. Hell, I was thrilled when a Navy area FINALLY elected a retried Navy man as their rep...

I told my mother that no matter what, he understands you. We'd never been able to do that before. That, too, felt good.

White men don't even know they're doing it. Hell, it's the default for the rest of us too.

[bliss_eternal]

7. I'm sorry....

I had a comment and thought better of making it.

Self delete.

[bliss_eternal]

8. Thanks for trying....!

I just don't think many here are capable of grasping what you are trying to say. But I do sincerely appreciate your efforts. :hug::hi: