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October 12, 2022
Media Advisory: SIU experts can discuss widening political gender gap
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A recent analysis of Gallup Poll data indicates the political gap between men and women is widening. Southern Illinois University Carbondale experts in politics and sociology can discuss possible reasons and political implications as the Nov. 8 general elections near.
An analysis of data by the Survey Center on American Life shows a growing disparity between women between ages 18 and 29 who identify as liberal when compared to men in the same age range. A recent article from The Hill details the findings.
SIU Carbondale experts include:
Darren E. Sherkat, a professor in sociology, has focused much of his research on the intersection of family, religion and politics. He is available by email at sherkat@siu.edu to arrange interviews.
Sherkat has analyzed trends in political values and party identifications using the 1974-2021 General Social Surveys, and has published widely on trends and predictors of political and social values. This includes publications examining attitudes toward same-sex marriage, support for science, and voting for Donald Trump.
John Jackson, a visiting professor with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, is available at 618-303-1240, by email at jsjacson@siu.edu and for Zoom interviews. He said the gender gap has persisted since first appearing in the 1980 presidential election between Ronald Reagan and then-President Jimmy Carter and “has grown more pronounced recently.”
“It is fueled by the same issues that are evident in much of the rest of the world where women, like those in Iran today, are demanding equal rights and taking more political leadership positions,” Jackson said. “In the U. S. recently, the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade has galvanized especially young women like nothing else recently.”