Women And Leadership
1. Regarding women’s political ambition
Encouraging women’s political ambition may not conflict with personal choice, if we approach in terms of equal access not just equal opportunities. Rather, women could enjoy much more choices through the encouragement against suppressing environments.
Why women’s political ambition is less developed?
It seems to be natural that women are less ambitious than men. Women are inherently less ambitious? According to Richard L. Fox, it is educated or given from unfavorable environments for women. He explains gender differences in ambition for office seeking these four factors: 1) gender differences in external support to run for office, 2) family arrangements and interests in office holding, 3) self-perceptions of electoral viability.
For example, gatekeepers, such as party officials or elected officials, significantly affect the candidate pool during the process of recruitment, and they tend to prefer male candidates. Women have no choice but to work hard than men, or they may give up their desire. Also, family arrangements and personal interests are critical in establishing political ambition. Even though, there have been much improvement in women’s social status, women still confront “double bind”: work inside and outside the house at the same time. Third, self-perceptions for elected officials are different for men than women. Women are likely to be more modest about their achievements and underestimate themselves. These characteristics make it difficult for women to self–promote and campaign.
Reflecting my experience, it is more obvious. There have been a few male colleagues who have political ambitions in the Korean government and their ambitions were recognized from people around them. They have started to build their careers and established political networks, and some of them have succeeded as a mayor or other electing positions. However, I’ve never seen female colleagues who have political aspirations or interests,
Encouraging women’s political ambition may not conflict with personal choice, if we approach in terms of equal access not just equal opportunities. Rather, women could enjoy much more choices through the encouragement against suppressing environments.
Why women’s political ambition is less developed?
It seems to be natural that women are less ambitious than men. Women are inherently less ambitious? According to Richard L. Fox, it is educated or given from unfavorable environments for women. He explains gender differences in ambition for office seeking these four factors: 1) gender differences in external support to run for office, 2) family arrangements and interests in office holding, 3) self-perceptions of electoral viability.
For example, gatekeepers, such as party officials or elected officials, significantly affect the candidate pool during the process of recruitment, and they tend to prefer male candidates. Women have no choice but to work hard than men, or they may give up their desire. Also, family arrangements and personal interests are critical in establishing political ambition. Even though, there have been much improvement in women’s social status, women still confront “double bind”: work inside and outside the house at the same time. Third, self-perceptions for elected officials are different for men than women. Women are likely to be more modest about their achievements and underestimate themselves. These characteristics make it difficult for women to self–promote and campaign.
Reflecting my experience, it is more obvious. There have been a few male colleagues who have political ambitions in the Korean government and their ambitions were recognized from people around them. They have started to build their careers and established political networks, and some of them have succeeded as a mayor or other electing positions. However, I’ve never seen female colleagues who have political aspirations or interests,