Why Aren't There More Women in Public Office?

Women are underrepresented in elective political offices at federal, state, and local levels. Is this because of unfair treatment, lack of equal rights, repudiation of entitlements, discrimination, misogyny?  Here is one view from a study in 2012.

"Men Rule - The Continued Under-Representation of Women in U.S. Politics"
Women & Politics Institute - School of Public Affairs - American University
Washington, DC. - January 2012

Seven barriers to women running for office:

1. Women are substantially more likely than men to perceive the electoral environment as highly competitive and biased against female candidates.

2.  The way Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin's candidacies were treated in 2008 aggravated women's perceptions of gender bias in the electoral arena.

3. Women are much less likely than men to think they are qualified to run for office.

4. Female potential candidates are less competitive, less confident, and more risk averse than their male counterparts.

5. Women react more negatively than men to many aspects of modern campaigns.

6. Women are less likely than men to receive the suggestion to run for office — from anyone.

7. Women are still responsible for the majority of child care and household tasks.

end