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Published

2018-12-04

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Vol. 6 No. 3 (2018)

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Politics is Made for Men: An Exploration into why the House of Commons has not reached Gender Equality

Isabella Perales

Abstract

This paper will discuss gender inequality in the House of Commons and will question whether enough is being done to reduce equality and understand why this remains a problem, despite the efforts political parties have made to achieve gender equality. The primary aim of this research is to understand the causes of gender inequality in the House of Commons and uses a previous research model to understand what is happening in the UK’s Political Landscape in 2018. Research carried out in 1995 by Pippa Norris, and Joni Lovenduski examined why there was gender inequality in the 1990s and used a Supply and Demand hypothesis to understand the problem. In addition to Norris and Lovenduski’s research model, further research is included in the form of case study research. This looks at the demand side of the problem, and semi structured interviews with five women and five men examine the supply side of the issue. Both aspects of the research look, in equal measure, at men and women and aim to give a balanced understanding of the situation in the House of Commons and the beliefs of people, possibly considering a career in politics in the future. The research indicates there is more of a supply deficit than a demand deficit. This deficit is caused by the media’s coverage of current female MPs, the lack of knowledge and understanding people have about politics at a young age, young women’s political role models and society's slow progress in recognising the ambitions of modern women are greater than being only mothers and carers.  

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