Generational Divide in Women and its Impact on Elections 2016

I read an article today about this divide among women as it relates to the Presidential Elections. Not only these elections are the most exciting of my lifetime thus far (and probably for most of you as well), but they are highlighting some social and cultural trends.

Let’s not focus on the absurdity and the cheap entertainment of these elections, the Trump factor, but on the other issue, women. The article discusses younger generation females vs. the older generation ones. I think it’s fascinating how we think differently but maybe not because of the political issues but rather because of our generational experiences. It’s social studies at its best.

The article discusses why younger women are more Bernie fans. Is it about the political issues or is it that the younger women just haven’t experienced what older women have. And maybe older women are supporting Hillary because she is a woman and that’s it.

I agree with many of the points raised in the article. I must admit I want a woman in that office, because I want to see one of the highest glass ceilings shattered. I’m also a pessimist when it comes to politics and I believe every leader and every country’s political assembly is corrupt to the point that they will serve their own interest first. So who is in the office may make some difference but not a lot. It is the small differences that make us choose one party vs. the other.. but as a whole, it’s not that different. At the end of the day we only get two options. With that said, okay maybe the differences are a little bigger this time, but still, the President alone cannot declare war or genocide. But I digress…

I can only speak to my own experience, which I found it resonating in the article.

“Younger women aren’t as used to the sexist battles that professional older women had to struggle through to acquire the positions they have now,” said Rodriguez, a mom of three and founder of the blog Dude Mom. “The struggle is real; they just haven’t had to live it.”

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/08/health/hillary-clinton-women-voters-generational-divide/index.html

I also didn’t notice it in my earlier professional years. I too was oblivious to it, didn’t notice it, didn’t care maybe.. I had a while to go anyway. But as I grew in my career and witnessed and learned from my environment and experiences of the women around me, I did notice it. The struggle IS real. It is different for women than the men. The glass ceiling does exist. Sexism, racism, ageism… these still exist in the corporate world and it’s not just in the US. In some countries it is not as ‘hidden’ as it is in the US actually, but a more blatant recruiting practice. So maybe I am guilty of wanting Hillary in the office because she is a woman. Because it’s been a long and hard road for many of us and although this will not fix it immediately, it will feel like a victory for women of my generation and older and ease and pave the way for more female leaders to come. I agree that (most) of the younger woman just haven’t had to live the struggle (yet), but here’s to hoping that maybe us, the older generation, have and are making a difference for them.

If you think it will organically just go away, it will not. Just because women are the majority of the population, will not just force the change organically :) It hasn’t in decades. But I am also witness to many men and male leaders who are partnering with women to shift the trend. And I’m not suggesting men are the enemy.. they should be our partners in this effort. There are steps in the right direction being taken, it will be slow, and will still decades.

Maybe the younger generation is subconsciously influenced and afraid of a female leader. We all want to think we are open-minded, but if you’ve been led by men (in politics anyway) all your life, you may not be aware of the biases you hold deep within. It is NEW! Revolutionary no?