While the only thing separating a woman and a man genetically is a singular chromosome (thank you, biology class), the average American citizen believes that gender could cause an exceptionally different presidential term. One that could fundamentally change the economy, domestic affairs, and society as they know it. Because, of course, a presidential election isn’t up to one’s leadership skills; it’s up to chromosomes!
The media have only pushed this narrative further, through depictions of what a woman in the White House would really be like. In an episode from the Comedy Central TV series titled Inside Amy Schumer, Amy Schumer portrays a woman elected President of the United States who gets her period the first day on the job. Oh, boy. In a hormonal frenzy, she breaks down over a piece of chocolate in front of a foreign diplomat. Of course, because nothing says “female president” like a mental breakdown and a period joke.
Schumer’s hilariously accurate skit is not the only representation of a woman as president in media. In American Horror Story: Cult, season 7, the character Kai Anderson spreads his brilliant and obviously educated beliefs about women and their role in politics. Naturally, his message was that women are so emotional and fragile that they could destroy the country over a bad hair day. A very reassuring notion that the only thing between mass destruction and peace is frizz.
While the American Psychological Association says the addition of a woman can improve team collaboration and women implement better leadership techniques (APA), the true American citizen knows to brush off these conclusions. Instead, they listen to their newly elected president, Donald Trump, enlightening themselves with his wonderful remarks about women.
Trump has shared his thoughts on women in politics. Pointing out the real things that matter when picking who to vote for, such as one’s appearance, “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?” (AP News).
And of course, looks aren’t the only thing women count for as president; Mr. Trump points out the obvious in a tweet where he wrote, “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America? #MakeAmericaGreatAgain.” (AP News). Because once again, being president is not about your leadership skills or policies; it’s about whether you have a Y chromosome. Truly, the insight Trump gives Americans on what women would be like as leaders or what they need to “satisfy” to be a good leader is remarkable.
The answer to the question of what a female president would look like is in the media or Trump’s tweets, or perhaps America could find out by… get this… electing a female president.
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