According to the 2010 United States Census, women make up 50.8% of the U.S. population.

In light of this fact, it is startling that women make up only 16.9% of the national legislature, putting the U.S. behind 90 other nations around the world with higher percentages of female representation in their national legislatures (Lawless 2). After a brief look at the numbers, it becomes clear that women are grossly underrepresented in United States politics; the reason however, may be surprising. In fact, women are just as likely as men to be elected to political positions when they run, the problem is: they do not (Lawless 2). According to an American University Study, the reason for the lack of women in politics is what the authors refer to as a gender gap in political ambition. A variety of factors rooted in social attitudes and norms were identified by the study as causing this gender gap. These factors include: the perception by women of high competitiveness and bias against female candidates in the electoral environment, the tendency of women to perceive themselves as less qualified than men with the same qualifications perceive themselves, and the lower rate at which women receive suggestions to run for office (by anyone, including spouses and family members) (Lawless 12). These findings also suggest that the gender gap in political ambition has remained the same over the past decade, and the gender gap in interest in future candidacy has widened further. The inclusion of women in government is beneficial, not only because it increases the descriptive representation of women in the United States, but because experience has shown that women in government are more likely to be sensitive to, not only womens issues, but childrens and family is issues as well. In a 1991 journal article, Sue Thomas finds that female state legislators are more likely than their male counterparts to prioritize bills that relate to children, families or womens issues. Other studies, such as one conducted among U.S. City Managers

show that females are more concerned with community involvement and the incorporation of citizens input (Fox). Women in positions of power also have the effect of inspiring other women to be more politically engaged, as it has been demonstrated that women in states with highly visible and competitive female candidates also have high levels of political engagement among women (Atkeson). Unfortunately, the problem of womens underrepresentation in U.S. government is one without a clear solution, for the key to resolving this disparity lies in changing the social norms and attitudes of an entire nation of not only men, but women as well. However, there are many womens organizations making efforts to support female candidates. In my research I hope to discover possible solutions which may include increased funding for these womens organizations as well as education programs that promote political participation among our nations young women. In my paper I will make the argument for increased female representation in U.S. government; exploring the need, its benefits, and possible ways to fill the gap. Works Cited

Atkeson, Lonna Rae. Not All Cues are Created Equal: The Conditional Impact of Female Candidates on Political Engagement. Journal of Politics 6.5:1040-61. 2003. Web. Fox, Richard L. and Robert A. Schuhmann. Gender and Local Government: A Comparison of Women and Men City Managers. Public Administration Review 59(3):231-42. 1999. Web.

Lawless, Jennifer L., Richard L. Fox. Men Rule: The Continued Under-Representation of Women in U.S. Politics. 2011. Web. Thomas, Sue and Susan Welch. The Impact of Gender on Activities and Priorities of State Legislators. Western Political Quarterly 44:445-56. 1991. Web.