Is SU right, will Mormons have a hard time supporting a woman?

[MikeWaters]

I suspect young adults, especially young LDS female adults, would be just fine voting for a woman.

Older LDS would have a much tougher time. Male LDS in general would be less inclined, but not as against as older LDS.

I would bet that compared to the average American, LDS are less likely to support a woman.

I predicted Utah would be below average in number of women in the state legislature. Which is true. Probably the most telling is comparing Utah to the states it is contiguous with.



http://www.ncsl.org/programs/wln/WomenInOffice2008.htm

There are no Sarah Palin's in the LDS church. But there are Julie Becks.

[Indy Coug]

You truly have your hand on the pulse of LDS America.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

You truly have your hand on the pulse of LDS America.

Utah has the lowest percent representation by women in the Western USA.

Statement of fact.

And more importantly, there are many LDS who will say that is something they are proud of.

[All-American]

Any chance that the lower percentage has anything to do with, say, a lower inclination for women to run instead of a bias against voting for women?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Utah has the lowest percent representation by women in the Western USA.

Statement of fact.

And more importantly, there are many LDS who will say that is something they are proud of.

And Utah represents about 20% of the total US LDS population.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by All-American

Any chance that the lower percentage has anything to do with, say, a lower inclination for women to run instead of a bias against voting for women?

that's essentially the same thing.

Religous leaders essentially telling women to not do it. Husbands telling women not to do it. Other women telling women not to do it.

So yes, in a state like Utah, I'm sure you get fewer female candidates for the state legislature, because there is a cultural bias against it.

We're a supposedly smart bunch on this site. Yet almost all of our wives here do not have a professional career. There are strong cultural pressures that oppose it among Mormons.

[Sleeping in EQ]

I'm going out on a limb, but I think conservative Christians in general have this problem. I'd expect the problem to be more or less as consistent in conservative Christian women as with conservative Christian men.

Back in February a conservative, non-denominational Christian family I know was shocked that I supported Hillary. The husband was shocked, but it was the wife that told me, "But that is not a woman's place!"

[MikeWaters]

I want to add a positive spin to this: hopefully Sarah Palin will be an important role model for LDS women--that you can have faith and family, and you can make a difference on a large macro scale.

I hope it sends a message to LDS men as well. That you CAN support your wife in pursuing this, if she so chooses.

[MikeWaters]

I want to add a positive spin to this: hopefully Sarah Palin will be an important role model for LDS women--that you can have faith and family, and you can make a difference on a large macro scale.

I hope it sends a message to LDS men as well. That you CAN support your wife in pursuing this, if she so chooses.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

that's essentially the same thing.

Religous leaders essentially telling women to not do it. Husbands telling women not to do it. Other women telling women not to do it.

So yes, in a state like Utah, I'm sure you get fewer female candidates for the state legislature, because there is a cultural bias against it.

We're a supposedly smart bunch on this site. Yet almost all of our wives here do not have a professional career. There are strong cultural pressures that oppose it among Mormons.

No, it's not the same thing. If women in Utah are more inclined to stay at home, that doesn't necessarily have any bearing on whether Utah voters are less inclined to vote for women. It may just mean that fewer women are volunteering for the job.