What Do Women (Politicians) Want?

The standard femi-nazi line goes like this: Women (in general) are just as capable as men (in general); gender differences are social constructs. This is patently untrue with respect to physical strength and certain types of cognitive ability. (The math-science gender gap is not closing.) Further, it is patently untrue with respect to innate biological differences (e.g., reproductive organs and related bodily functions) that have physiological effects on emotions and cognition.

Some women, recognizing the futility of claiming biological equality with men, now claim that women’s unique traits make them superior political animals. This is from a recent article in The New York Times, “Gillibrand Wants Women Involved in Politics“:

[Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY] has begun a campaign, called Off the Sidelines, to mobilize women across the country, in advance of the national elections next year and as evidence emerges that the slow but steady progress made by women in elective politics has begun to stall….

In many ways, Ms. Gillibrand, who is 44, epitomizes the ways in which women are asserting themselves in politics these days.

For decades, women in elective office felt compelled to blur the distinctions between them and men: presenting themselves as tough and able while largely concealing their softer qualities. But like many political women of her generation, Ms. Gillibrand feels no such constraints, regularly talking about the demands she faces as a mother and a wife.

In fact, Ms. Gillibrand goes a step further, arguing that an infusion of women into the political system would go a long way toward changing the tone in Congress, a male-dominated world of fiercely clashing egos.

“We tend to be more results-oriented and less concerned with getting the credit,” Ms. Gillibrand explained. “The female approach is more conciliatory and less combative. We tend to use a more civil tone.”

Beyond that, Ms. Gillibrand contends, it should be a source of concern to women that the issues that are important to them — like workplace discrimination and access to child care — are being decided by lawmakers who are almost exclusively male.

As the last-quoted paragraph suggests, the purpose of seeking political office is to wield power. It is one thing to claim “soft” qualities, but the last place in which one finds “soft” qualities is in the political arena. Such qualities — when displayed — are for show; they are a mask behind which many a politician (male and female) attempts to hide the will to power, the urge to dominate.

So, just as it is true that some women are good mathematicians and scientists, and some women are stronger than most men, there are some women with egos on a par with those of the ego-driven males who dominate politics. Regardless of what those women say, do not expect them to change the tone of politics; when it comes to temperament, those women are the equal of the men whose jobs they seek.

The answer to the question “What do women (politicians) want?” is straightforward: They want power, just like male politicians. And they will pretend to be what they are not for the sake of gaining power, just like male politicians.