When I posted a TikTok making fun of the line, "Women shouldn't go into politics because they're too emotional, so they make bad decisions," the comments shocked me. Some shared experiences hearing this insult, some echoed my mockery of the sexist rhetoric, and others perpetuated it. The users who took the time to inform me that women "Vote stupid because of emotions," and "A woman in politics is like a donkey doing calculus," likely saw their remarks as meaningless comments into the TikTok void. However, their words reflect a dangerous ideology that stands in the way of gender parity.
First things first, the ideology exists.
Like many feminist issues, people often disregard it when others call it out. The irony is that in the comment section of the TikTok regarding this ideology, a comment that reads, "No one thinks or says that," is sandwiched between two other users sharing their experiences hearing these sexist beliefs. The data sides with those who have heard this all-too-common line firsthand: a 2019 report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that 1 in 8 Americans believe women are not as emotionally suited as men to serve in elected office. From TikTok comments to the greater population, it is clear that this issue exists.
This ideology is wrong. Period.
Studies show that women are not more emotional than men. Instead, the difference is that women's emotions are perceived differently than men's. As senior author of the University of Michigan study -- Adriene Beltz -- describes, quick emotional changes to an event result in a man being labeled "passionate." In contrast, the same response from a woman results in her being labeled "irrational." While biases and stereotypes distort the way emotions are perceived, the emotions themselves do not differ. Thus, the idea that "women are more emotional than men" is simply wrong.
Societal norms also influence emotional expression. For instance, gender roles can force men to unhealthily hide their emotions, contributing to the stereotyping women often experience. In fact, a 2019 study found that 58% of men think that society expects them to be emotionally strong and not show weakness.
And lastly, a note to every person who has ever heard they are "too emotional for a career in politics."
If you have learned anything from this article, I hope it is that whoever told you that your emotions discount you from a successful career in politics was miseducated and wrong. Know that what others perceive as "too emotional" is really just passion that the world needs, because strong passion will result in meaningful change.
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