Gender Representation in State Legislatures

Critical Analysis

1. The American federal system has one national bicameral (two chamber) legislature and 50 state legislatures. According to the data from the map above, how many states have close to equal representation for women in their state senate? (You can also find the data for gender representation from state houses here.)

2. According to the data from the map above, in how many states are women underrepresented in their state senate?

3. What geographical trends in female representation do you see in the American state senates?

4. Describe any aspects of the American political system (elections, voting, parties, etc.) or culture (values, norms, beliefs) that explain the overall female under-representation in American state senates?

5. What is one effect of female under-representation in American state senates and American politics in general?

6. Based on the visuals above and below* describe the level of female state legislative representation in your state?

7. According to the data from the visual below, which state has the least female representation in their state legislature?

8. We rightly focus on the level of female representation in the US congress where currently women make up 27% of the U.S. House of Representatives and 24% of the U.S. Senate. But in our federal system we also have state legislatures. Make a claim about which level of government is more important.

9. On one hand, making legislation in the U.S. takes a long time. on the other hand, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia has almost absolute power to do whatever he pleases. It certainly seems inefficient and complicated to have a federal system with a national house and senate, and 50 state legislatures; as well as checks and balances at each level. (And let’s not forget about county, city, municipal governments, etc.) Make a claim about whether the Framers were wise to build checks and balances and federalism into our system.

10. According to the visual below* if we continue on current trajectory the U.S. will have equal representation by gender in the year 2060. What policy changes do you imagine would result from equal gender representation?

Learning Extension

Unless you are in Nebraska which has a unicameral legislature, take a dive deep into the data about the level of gender representation in your state Senate and House.

Action Extension

Use the Center for American Women and Politics resources to see if you are represented by a women in the U.S. House. Share your results with class.

Visual Extension*