Project Title
Gender Gap in Social Welfare Policy Attitudes
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Min Kim
Abstract
Gender differences in public opinion and policy attitudes have been a hallmark of American politics for many years. Gender differences are evident in how women and men respond to contemporary issues. For example, women are more likely than men to support gun control measures, access to abortion, and increased spending on social welfare programs. Women are less likely than men to support the death penalty, the use of military force to settle international disputes, and stricter immigration policies. Furthermore, gender patterns in public opinion extend to several other public policy issues under the umbrella of social welfare. Political science studies show that women are more likely to identify as Democrats than men and are more likely to express opinions that are consistent with Democrats' policy positions. However, there are more important differences between women based on race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors. Why are there systematic gender differences in attitudes to public policy issues? What are the factors driving these differences? What role do other factors, such as partisanship and racial and ethnic identity, play? This study explores the dynamics of these gender differences and how they shape American politics. This study sheds light on what gendered patterns of public opinion look like in the United States, what the underlying factors drive these patterns, and how gender interacts with other identities to influence political attitudes. To examine how partisanship and other identities influence gender disparities in social welfare policy attitudes, this study analyzes data from the 2021 General Social Survey.
Gender Gap in Social Welfare Policy Attitudes
Gender differences in public opinion and policy attitudes have been a hallmark of American politics for many years. Gender differences are evident in how women and men respond to contemporary issues. For example, women are more likely than men to support gun control measures, access to abortion, and increased spending on social welfare programs. Women are less likely than men to support the death penalty, the use of military force to settle international disputes, and stricter immigration policies. Furthermore, gender patterns in public opinion extend to several other public policy issues under the umbrella of social welfare. Political science studies show that women are more likely to identify as Democrats than men and are more likely to express opinions that are consistent with Democrats' policy positions. However, there are more important differences between women based on race, ethnicity, and other demographic factors. Why are there systematic gender differences in attitudes to public policy issues? What are the factors driving these differences? What role do other factors, such as partisanship and racial and ethnic identity, play? This study explores the dynamics of these gender differences and how they shape American politics. This study sheds light on what gendered patterns of public opinion look like in the United States, what the underlying factors drive these patterns, and how gender interacts with other identities to influence political attitudes. To examine how partisanship and other identities influence gender disparities in social welfare policy attitudes, this study analyzes data from the 2021 General Social Survey.