Is America ready for a woman Commander-in-Chief?

The US has elected 46 Presidents since 1789, all white men barring one. For a nation that calls itself the world's oldest democracy, the fact that it has never elected a woman President speaks to the deep-rooted misogyny that persists in American society.

In Short

• Voter reluctance in swing states poses challenge for Kamala Harris
• Gender bias in politics reflects broader societal inequalities
• Harris’s candidacy questions if US is ready for a woman President

Is America ready to accept a woman as a President, specifically Kamala Harris, in contrast to Donald Trump? This question is on everyone’s mind and will be answered in less than 20 days from now.

The US has elected 46 Presidents since 1789, all white men barring one. For a nation that calls itself the world’s oldest democracy, the fact that it has never elected a woman President speaks to the deep-rooted misogyny that persists in American society. Recent decades have shown a significant shift in the attitude towards gender roles, with Hillary Clinton's 2016 candidacy breaking significant barriers, even if it fell short of victory against Trump.

Voter demographics paint a telling picture. In 2016, many women admitted they didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton because they couldn’t envision a woman President. This reluctance runs through certain segments, particularly among blue-collar workers and white men without college degrees -- groups that hold on to traditional gender stereotypes. These voters, clustered in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, are critical to winning elections, and their gendered expectations of leadership could prove to be a significant obstacle for Harris.

White men without a college degree, a group that has largely embraced Trump, are less likely to support a woman candidate, aligning with deep-rooted notions of male leadership.

Moreover, gender bias in politics reflects broader societal inequalities. Women in the US continue to be underpaid for the same work compared to their male counterparts, a reality that speaks volumes about how entrenched gender stereotypes still are. These societal patterns bleed into politics, where women are often scrutinised more harshly than men, and their leadership abilities are questioned.

Kamala Harris’s candidacy offers a fresh opportunity to assess whether the nation is ready to embrace a woman in its highest office. While Pew Research shows that 93 per cent of Americans say they would vote for a qualified woman candidate, only 25 per cent think a woman will be elected soon. This hesitation reveals the undercurrent of misogyny in American politics, with many still doubting that a woman can lead effectively, especially in battleground states.

Recent polls reinforce these concerns. A US News survey of voters aged between 18 and 34 years in swing states found that while over 80 per cent believe a woman can be an effective leader, there are clear divides. Republican men are more sceptical, with 16 per cent disagreeing that a woman could be a strong President, compared to only 1 per cent of Democrats.

While younger voters generally support women in leadership roles, there is still hesitation about whether America is ready for a woman President, with only 68 per cent agreeing the country is prepared to elect a woman. People may claim they would vote for a woman to appear socially progressive, but in the privacy of the voting booth, biases often emerge.

HARRIS EMBODIES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

As the first woman Vice President, and a woman of Black and South Asian heritage, Harris represents an America that is more diverse and multifaceted than ever before. Her leadership has often been framed around her ability to empathise, connect with marginalised groups, and fight for reproductive rights -- all traditionally associated with feminine strength in politics.

Harris's platform on these key issues, particularly abortion rights, resonates with women voters at a time when reproductive freedoms are under direct threat from Republican-led state laws.

Yet, the very qualities that could make Harris appealing to one segment of the electorate may alienate others. The persistent influence of traditional gender norms, where strength and decisiveness are often coded as masculine traits, could pose challenges.

Some voters, particularly Trump's base, may view Harris through a gendered lens, questioning whether a woman, especially one from a progressive background, has the toughness to lead the country in an era of global uncertainty and domestic division.

HARRIS'S CAMPAIGN FACES ISSUE OF COMPARISON

Unlike Trump, who can boast of an era of economic growth and no major wars during his presidency, Harris lacks an independent record as President. During her tenure as Vice President, the US has engaged in a proxy war with Russia and the economy has faced significant challenges.

Many voters may view Trump as a safer choice for stability, especially as the economy remains a top concern. Trump’s ability to sell his past record as peaceful and economically prosperous may resonate with those who doubt Harris’s ability to handle the crises of the moment.

During his presidency, Trump mishandled the Covid-19 pandemic, cast doubt on election integrity, and played a key role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riots -- yet he remains in the earshot of the White House. This underscores the gender bias in US politics. Had a woman been responsible for such actions, she likely wouldn't even make it past the primaries.

Men in politics, like Trump, are often able to withstand scandals and controversies, while women are held to a higher standard, with even minor errors threatening to derail their political careers.

Gender bias extends to media scrutiny, too. Female candidates are held to a tougher standard, with their errors amplified. For example, Trump's "locker room talk" was dismissed by many as mere banter, but had a woman made similar remarks, the backlash would have been swift and unforgiving.

The media's double standard places women under a harsher spotlight, intensifying criticism for behaviour men are often excused for.

Trump, on the other hand, continues to represent an unyielding form of male leadership that appeals to a certain subset of the electorate. His brashness, perceived strength, and defiance of political norms attract voters who associate these traits with masculine authority.

Trump's dominance in 2016 and continued political relevance suggest that for many Americans, a return to a familiar male archetype of leadership still holds significant appeal.

WHAT AMERICA WANTS?

The dynamics of this election are deeply intertwined with much more than gender alone. Harris, running against Trump, faces a complex electorate that is divided on issues such as democracy, abortion rights, and the country’s future direction. This election cycle may not simply be a referendum on gender, but rather on what kind of leadership America craves in a moment of crisis.

Do voters want empathy and a focus on democracy and rights, or a return to the 'strongman' tactics that Trump symbolises? The gender dynamics of the election, while important, will play out against the backdrop of pressing issues like the economy, immigration, abortion rights, climate change, and global conflicts.

While Harris’s candidacy brings the question of a woman President back to the forefront, the election is likely to be more about which vision of America resonates with voters. The stakes are high, and the electorate will weigh not only gender but also policy, experience, and the kind of future they wish to see for the country. Whether America is ready for a woman President may not simply be about readiness but about voters -- how they see Harris’s platform and persona as the right fit for this pivotal moment in history.

HARRIS FACES COMPOUNDED CHALLENGES

Internal polls reportedly show lower enthusiasm for Harris among male voters, even prompting Barack Obama to call on black men to support her. This indicates that even within traditionally Democratic voter bases, gender and racial biases are significant hurdles.

With less than three weeks to go for the US elections, the question remains whether America is ready to elect its first woman President. While young voters and progressive Democrats may be on board, the real test lies with swing-state voters, blue-collar workers, and traditionalists who still hold on to outdated views of leadership.

In a country where gender bias runs deep, Harris’s challenge is not only defeating Trump but overcoming the enduring belief that leadership belongs to men.

(Rohit Sharma is an award-winning journalist residing in Washington DC)

(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)