How does the 2026 Presidential Election explain these?
Hillary Clinton was the more qualified candidate.
She had served as New York State’s Senator from 2001 to 2009 and had served as the Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. She had more political experience than her opponent, Donald Trump, in the 2016 Election.
Yet, her pundits still focused on her looks rather than her policies and experience.
For example, Fox News host Brit Hume, after a presidential debate, commented on Clinton’s physical features rather than what she said.
Via Vanity Fair:
“And she [Hillary Clinton] looked, I think for the most part, she looked composed — smug sometimes — not necessarily attractive.”
He also, on other occasions, painted Clinton as the stereotypical angry woman, where he said she was “stern, angry, joyless,” had a “sharp lecturing tone,” and that she possessed a “not-so-attractive voice.”
This is an example of sexism (when people or groups of people are treated differently because of their sex) and gender roles (roles society created for each gender).
Many of Clinton’s pundits believed (or came off as they believed) she wasn’t qualified to be the President of the United States because she’s a woman; they believed that she wouldn’t be a good leader.
This idea is rooted in the belief that men are better leaders than women, a belief that has existed throughout history.
In the olden days, men were considered better leaders than women in most societies because they were bigger, stronger, and could fight in wars; they were masculine and that somehow equated with being a better decision maker.
As time progressed, so did the arguments.
In modern times, women are seen as worse leaders because of femininity.
According to a study from the University at Buffalo School of Management, people view women as too soft to be effective leaders.
“We found showing sensitivity and concern for others — stereotypically feminine traits — made someone less likely to be seen as a leader,” researcher Emily Grijalva said. “However, it’s those same characteristics that make leaders effective. Thus, because of this unconscious bias against communal traits, organizations may unintentionally select the wrong people for leadership roles, choosing individuals who are loud and confident but lack the ability to support their followers’ development and success.”
Ok, so the sexism is clear in this example. But what about gender roles?
Gender roles play a role here because these people think women won’t be good at doing a “man’s” job.
They believe women should stay in their lanes and do “women’s” jobs, such as being an assistant to a man, or taking care of the family, or jobs that require a “feminine” touch.
Gender roles and sexism have been a societal issue for millennia.
And the best solution, according to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is for society to free women.
Via Reuters:
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.”
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