Women In Politics

Prior to World War II, women happily ruled over the home fires and men were the bread winners. This was the norm. In America, the picture changed radically when men were called away to war. Women took jobs to support the war effort. American family life was thus changed forever. Following the war, it became more commonplace for women to take jobs, on a part time basis, to supplement the family income.

Fast forward to the 1960s and the women's liberation movement. In part due to financial necessity and the emerging need of women who felt the need for independence and a more important and equal position in the world, previously reserved for men, a social revolution erupted. The American family structure would never be the same.

Women in politics gained a foothold in American mainstream values. Women ran for Congressional and Senatorial positions, and won. This seemed to be a positive development in certain quarters. After all, women are historically the nurturing factor in society. They endorse peace, political diplomacy and other such motherly values. Society was quick to applaud this moderating force evident in the women in politics. If only this were the case.

Today, there are many women in politics who exhibit the best of womanhood, valiantly standing up for the underdog, the poor and disadvantaged members of society. This is a cultural advance, balancing the more aggressive tendencies of men bent on war.

Somewhere along the line, some women in political positions abandoned the womanly high road for ambition, power and, must it be said, greed. Now we talk about glass ceilings and power. Where have the feminine qualities of hope, love and charity gone? These are the truly powerful characteristics of women. In politics, there is a certain cutthroat mentality which bodes ill for the world and now women are active participants.

In this year's Presidential election campaigns, John McCain has selected a woman as his Vice Presidential nominee. Hillary Clinton, an experienced woman in political circles, failed to arouse the American public sufficiently to gain the Democratic nomination, while a virtual unknown woman in politics, Sarah Palin has captured nationwide attention and devotion. There are Sarah Palin action figures, on the market within a week of her selection.

It's certainly a long road from the World War II homemakers to what we see today in our women in politics. Political ambition has corrupted women in politics, to the detriment of us all. Effective women leaders, with political aspirations, will do well to remember the importance of the home fires, the disadvantaged and their own strengths as women. In politics, I want a woman or man of compassion, integrity and intelligence.