Standards are different for male and female politicians, Americans say

Jamie BallardData Journalist
September 10, 2018, 3:30 PM GMT+0

Almost half of women say that female politicians are held to a higher standard

When it comes to politics and gender, a majority of Americans agree that male and female politicians are held to different standards, according to new data from YouGov Omnibus.

About four in ten (38%) Americans say that female politicians are held to a higher standard than male politicians. Another 28% say that male and female politicians are held to the same standard, while 16% say that male politicians are held to a higher standard.

There are some notable differences between men’s responses and women’s responses. Almost half (46%) of women say that female politicians are held to a higher standard, while less than one-third (28%) of men agree. Men (35%) were also considerably more likely than women (21%) to say that politicians are held to the same standard, regardless of gender.

Among age groups, there were also some interesting differences. People between 18 and 24 years old were equally likely to say that male politicians are held to a higher standard (28%) as they were to say that female politicians are held to a higher standard (28%). The group most likely to say female politicians are held to a higher standard is Americans 55 and older, 41% of whom chose this answer. One-third (33%) of people in this age group say that male and female politicians are held to the same standards.

Learn more about YouGov Omnibus.

Image: Getty