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Sexism as a political force: The impact of gender‐based attitudes on the presidential elections of 2012 and 2016

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  • Eric Hanley

Abstract

Objective This article examines the effect of gender attitudes on the voting behavior of whites in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections. Methods Logistic regression models are used to analyze data from the 2012 and 2016 waves of the American National Election Study. Results Sexist orientations had a greater impact on how Americans, and white Americans in particular, voted in 2016 than in 2012. Attitudes toward gender roles and feminism affected the voting behavior of white men and white women in a highly similar fashion in 2016 but had a greater effect on the voting behavior of college—as opposed to noncollege‐educated whites. Conclusion Many observers have argued that the mobilization of sexist voters over the course of the 2016 campaign helped carry Trump to victory. The results of this analysis indicate that, in regard to many key voting blocs, the activation of sexism cost Trump at least as many votes as he gained as due to the countermobilization of nonsexist white voters, particularly those with college degrees. The strength of the nonsexist backlash suggests a need to reassess the received wisdom that sexism among white voters played to Trump's advantage in the 2016 election.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Hanley, 2021. "Sexism as a political force: The impact of gender‐based attitudes on the presidential elections of 2012 and 2016," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(4), pages 1408-1427, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:4:p:1408-1427
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jonathan Knuckey, 2019. "“I Just Don't Think She Has a Presidential Look”: Sexism and Vote Choice in the 2016 Election," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(1), pages 342-358, February.
    2. Gabriel S. Lenz, 2009. "Learning and Opinion Change, Not Priming: Reconsidering the Priming Hypothesis," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 53(4), pages 821-837, October.
    3. Michael Tesler, 2015. "Priming Predispositions and Changing Policy Positions: An Account of When Mass Opinion Is Primed or Changed," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 59(4), pages 806-824, October.
    4. D. Sunshine Hillygus & Simon Jackman, 2003. "Voter Decision Making in Election 2000: Campaign Effects, Partisan Activation, and the Clinton Legacy," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 47(4), pages 583-596, October.
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