Hello, Madam President

By Albert DeSimone

Female heads of state are a common occurrence everywhere except America. They either have existed or exist in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, Canada, Australia, Italy, Greece, Poland, Argentina, Ireland, and many more countries.

Why not America? Barbara A. Perry offers several reasons in her article “Madam President: Why Hasn’t the U.S. Elected a Woman POTUS?” The article appeared in the University of Virginia publication Enlightenment. Following is a summary of her major points:

Systemic factors: Parliamentary governments, where prime ministers typically come to power after building coalitions. The American presidential system, however, requires that candidates run nationwide. 

Historic precedents: All U.S. presidents have been males, and the nation only knows one gender at the helm as commander-in-chief. Because only males have been president, women have no precedents to follow on how they should look and dress in order to appear “presidential.” 

Leadership models: Paradigms of American presidential leaders are associated with male traits and characteristics.  

Voting cues: Political scientists have concluded that party, rather than gender, guides most women voters. Women are treated as if they were a monolithic bloc when they are just as diverse as any other voting group. 

I will add another reason. Women candidates are forced into a position where gender, making history, and proving equality become a disproportionately large part of their political persona. This forced heroism is a distraction from their suitability and qualifications to be the U.S. president. Sadly, the pressure builds with each election cycle. 

The importance of having a woman president is far more than a symbol of equality. It goes to the reason for equality: eliminating marginalization. 

America is potentially shutting out 50% of its population with equal or greater potential to serve as president. 

Albert DeSimone is a retired University of Georgia information technologist who resides in Bishop.