This book presents a first-of-its-kind analysis of the effects of individuals’ gendered personality traits—masculinity and femininity—on their political attitudes and behavior. Politics in the United States is influenced by gendered trait factors, such as the widely acknowledged compassionate, feminine nature of the Democratic Party and the tough, masculine nature of the Republican Party (GOP). The theory and empirical analyses presented here demonstrate that these gendered political connections drive the individual citizen as well. The book’s investigation uses data from the only national sur ... More

This book presents a first-of-its-kind analysis of the effects of individuals’ gendered personality traits—masculinity and femininity—on their political attitudes and behavior. Politics in the United States is influenced by gendered trait factors, such as the widely acknowledged compassionate, feminine nature of the Democratic Party and the tough, masculine nature of the Republican Party (GOP). The theory and empirical analyses presented here demonstrate that these gendered political connections drive the individual citizen as well. The book’s investigation uses data from the only national survey to measure gendered personality traits along with political preferences. The evidence shows that, regardless of biological sex, individuals’ levels of masculine and feminine personality traits help to determine their party identification, vote choice, ideology, and political engagement. And in conjunction with sex, these traits also influence attitudes about sex roles. Analysis of party identification, for example, shows that, consistent with party issues and images, the more feminine individuals are more likely to identify with the Democratic Party; and masculine individuals are drawn to the GOP. The book also demonstrates that, despite conventional wisdom, sex does not dictate gendered personalities. As a result, the personality trait approach moves beyond traditional gender and politics research, which uses the male/female dichotomy as its defining characteristic. Overall the findings have important implications for both political science and the practice of politics. Understanding that masculinity and femininity help determine individuals’ attitudes and behavior can influence, among other things, candidates’ campaigns, parties’ get-out-the-vote efforts, and officeholders’ governing behavior.