Women, Power, and Politics

The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States

First Edition

Lori Cox Han and Caroline Heldman

Extensive coverage of topics relevant to the study of women and politics, including health care reform, the battle over reproductive rights, the current gender justice movement, and the impact of social media
An intersectional approach that examines electoral and policy questions through the lens of feminist theory
Innovative pedagogical exercises, including case studies, social media exercises, and resources to get students involved with current debates and movements

Women, Power, and Politics

The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States

First Edition

Lori Cox Han and Caroline Heldman

Description

As women continue to gain more prominence in political and electoral processes as voters, candidates, and officeholders, it becomes even more important to understand how gender shapes political power and the distribution of resources within our society. Women, Power, and Politics: The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States offers a timely and engaging analysis of classic and contemporary gender-related issues, focusing on the role of women as active participants in government and the public policies that affect women in their daily lives.

Women, Power, and Politics

The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States

First Edition

Lori Cox Han and Caroline Heldman

Preface
List of Figures and Tables

Chapter 1: Introduction: Women, Power, and Politics
Women in Political Power: An Historical Perspective
Studying Women and Politics
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 2: The Women's Rights Movement in the United States
The First Wave: Suffrage
Seneca Falls and the Fight for Suffrage
Post-Suffrage and the ERA
The Second Wave: Political and Legal Equality
Women's Rights in the 1960s
Backlash in the 1970s and 1980s
The Third Wave: Redefining the Movement
Stealth Feminists
Conservative Women Activists
#Feminism: A Fourth Wave?
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 3: The Many Faces of Feminism
Types of Feminism
Liberal Feminism
Radical Feminism
Marxist Feminism
Socialist Feminism
Psychoanalytic Feminism
Eco-Feminism
Transnational Feminism
Intersectional Feminism
Postmodern Feminism
Third Wave Feminism
Fourth Wave Feminism
The Backlash Against Feminism
Feminism Myths?
Can Men Be Feminists?
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 4: Gender Representations in Popular Culture
Why Popular Culture Matters
New Media Influence
Gender Representations in Media
Media Representations of Girls and Women
The Impact of Women's Representations in Pop Culture
Media Representations of Boys and Men
The Impact of Men's Representations in Pop Culture
Gender Non-Conforming Individuals in Media
Political Leadership in Pop Culture
Leaders are Portrayed as Men
Leadership is Portrayed as Masculine
Professionals/Experts are Portrayed as Men
Old Media and New Media
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 5: Women as Political Participants
Political Socialization
Political Interest
Political Knowledge
Political Efficacy
Political Ambition
Political Beliefs
Policy Positions
Party Identification
Vote Choice
Political Participation
Electoral Participation
Non-Electoral Participation
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 6: Women as Political Candidates
Recruiting Women Candidates
The Electoral Process
Incumbency and Safe Seats
Campaign Finance
Media Coverage of Women Candidates
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 7: Women as Legislators
Women and Legislative Leadership
Women in Congress
History
The Policy Agenda
Women in State Legislatures
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 8: Women as Executive Leaders
Gender and Executive Leadership
Electing Madam President
Women in the Executive Branch
The Cabinet
White House Staff
First Ladies
Governors and Other Statewide Positions
Mayors
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 9: Women in the Judiciary
Women and the Law
Women and the Legal Profession
Women as Federal Judges
The Supreme Court
Women, Courts, and the Policy Agenda
Women as State and Local Judges
Do Women Judges Act Differently?
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 10: Public Policy: Economic Rights
Educational Equalities
Title IX
The Women's Educational Equality Act
Workplace Inequalities
The Second Shift
The Wage Gap
Family Leave
Sexual Harassment
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 11: Public Policy: Reproductive Rights
Ways to Prevent Reproduction
Abortion
Contraception
Ways to Encourage Reproduction
Fertility Treatment
Adoption
Same-Sex Adoption
Transracial Adoption
International Adoptions
Gender Preference
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Chapter 12 Public Policy: Gendered Violence
Sexual Violence
Rates of Sexual Violence in the U.S.
Predators of Sexual Violence
Rape Myths
Rape as a Public Health Issue
Anti-Rape Activism in the U.S.
Sexual Violence Policy
Intimate Partner Violence
Types of Abuse
Homicide
Perpetrators
Effects of Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate Partner Violence Activism in the U.S.
Intimate Violence Partner Policy
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Study/Discussion Questions
Case Studies
Resources

Selected Bibliography
Index

Women, Power, and Politics

The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States

First Edition

Lori Cox Han and Caroline Heldman

Author Information

Lori Cox Han is Professor of Political Science at Chapman University.

Caroline Heldman is Associate Professor of Politics at Occidental College.

Women, Power, and Politics

The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States

First Edition

Lori Cox Han and Caroline Heldman

Reviews and Awards

"Women, Power, and Politics is comprehensive in terms of topics and suitable as a single text for a course in terms of the organization." --Meredith Conroy, California State University, San Bernardino

"The authors have thought carefully about the data, research, and examples they use, resulting in a clear and engaging textbook." --Rebecca E. Deen, The University of Texas at Arlington

"Women, Power, and Politics is the first book that covers all of the topics I need for my course. Featuring completely up-to-date scholarship, the book is also well written and attractive to student readers. The timeliness and comprehensiveness of the subject matter sets the book apart." --Katheryn DePalo, Florida International University