THE PENDULUM

There has yet to be a female president. The political landscape is completely dominated by men. Women account for only 17 percent of Congress, and there are only six current female governors. So why are these numbers so out of sync with the nation's demographics?

It's because of America's hang-ups and preconceptions about the capacities of women and men in their respective occupational fields. Women have a more difficult time in positions that involve public scrutiny.

Though women and men are biologically wired a bit differently, that is not an excuse for the discrepancies we see in the treatment of women subject to public examination.
The ratios of testosterone, progesterone and estrogen are measured in different levels throughout both genders, but all exist in both.

But the sociological reasons for the differences associated with either gender are man-made and can be manipulated.

For those who think there are intrinsic differences between the sexes and that difference plays out in the separation between the sexes in the workplace, being a woman does not mean demoted power. Being a woman does not call for negative or dissimilar treatment, nor does it call for unnecessary preference or consideration.

Hillary Clinton has long been ostracized by her critics during her years as first lady, her run for the presidency and her current role as secretary of state. She is deemed "too emotional" and "unpredictable." The expectations placed on women start with the upbringing of America's children. Parents adhere to a number of norms that eventually form constraints within the context of the child's future endeavors.

A girl who is taught that her success is contingent upon the personality traits she displays is already at a disadvantage. She should be able to be, act and look exactly as she likes. Her ability is not dependent upon "desirable" traits.

Controversy arose regarding Newsweek's Oct. 13, 2008 cover featuring Sarah Palin. The cover picture of Palin was up close and personal — laugh lines, crow's feet and all. She is an aging woman yet the photo selection underwent extreme criticism for being unabashedly real and honest about the subject. Then her most recent Newsweek cover, with her pictured in short shorts and athletic gear, was publicly rejected by her and her representatives.

"The choice of photo for the cover of this week's Newsweek is unfortunate," Palin said.
She deemed the cover "sexist" and the picture "out of context." First, there is uproar about the excessive photoshopping of women, and movements, such as Dove's campaign for real beauty, were created to combat unrealistic depictions of women.

But when a middle-aged governor gets her picture taken, people are up in arms about how "real" Palin should look. Perhaps they should have lessened the blow by eliminating the more candid aspects of her facial features, but even then people might be upset that the alterations were not representative of her actual age.

Would this discussion even exist if a man's photo were being selected for a magazine cover?
"Will Americans want to watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?" Rush Limbaugh said.

We cannot expect preferential treatment for a woman and overlook the fact that the difference we make in our mind, especially in this scenario, is in and of itself sexist.

The glass ceiling still exists. The reasons why professions are predominantly male or female are because of notions carried in the psyches of both men and women in the workforce because of personal experiences, prejudiced intent on the part of employers and by gender norms that have been accepted as true because of their historical precedence.

Unless America's preconceived notions of women change, the cycle will continue as is.