Feminism

"The rise of social media and cyber-bullying have impacted women in the public realm in general, and many scholars believe it’s an attempt to silence women and keep them out of power," writes Meredith Ralston, Professor of Women's Studies and Political Studies, at the Canada's Mount Saint Vincent University.

Women have suffered from continuing double standards and double binds, but this time Kamala Harris has momentum in terms of record-breaking support, finds Ralston. "As someone quipped on social media about [Trump’s running mate J.D.] Vance’s old cat-lady remarks, those childless cat ladies might just have their claws out."

United States Vice President Kamala Harris is making a bid for the Oval Office, replacing President Joe Biden to square off against Republican Donald Trump. She may become the first woman and second racialized person to become U.S. president.

It won’t be an easy road. [...] The gloves, in fact, are off, with Harris being subjected to both sexism and racism. She has been called a DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) candidate, the implication being she’s unqualified to be president. There have also been insinuations that she has “slept her way to the top,” a classic way to undermine the accomplishments of successful women.

In 2021, JD Vance, now Trump’s running mate, criticized her and several other prominent Democrats as being “childless cat ladies” with no stake in the future of the country. Harris does, in fact, have stepchildren, but more importantly, the idea that childless people are less than those with children goes to the heart of Republican policy and lies behind the drive to eliminate abortion rights for women.

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While many positive changes have happened for women in politics over the past 20 years — including, for instance, more women in federal politics — many aspects of a politician’s life are worse than before because of social media, cyber-bullying and political polarization.

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A flourishing democracy needs representation from all demographics.

While it won’t be easy for Harris to win in November, and anything could happen over the next four months, she has momentum in terms of record-breaking fundraising and widespread support from many Democrats and Independents. Most importantly, she’s appealing to citizens who said they weren’t going to vote if it was a choice between Biden and Trump — and are now indicating they’ll cast their ballots for Harris.

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As someone quipped on social media about Vance’s old cat-lady remarks, those childless cat ladies might just have their claws out.