Gender Stereotypes in Political Voting: Are Young Men in Germany more Influenced Than Young Women?

Gender stereotypes deeply influence our society, shaping everything from career choices to political views. One area where these stereotypes have a strong impact is in how we perceive male and female leaders, which can affect voting behavior significantly. In my Master’s research at Trinity College Dublin, I examined how these stereotypes influence young voters in Germany, focusing on whether young men are more affected by these biases than young women. My study explored two main questions: Which has more influence on voting decisions—gender or character traits? And, Do young men adhere more closely to traditional gender roles than young women when voting? 

How Gender Stereotypes Affect Voting Behavior 

To understand how gender stereotypes shape voting, it’s helpful to look at several key theories. 

Social Role Theory, proposed by Alice Eagly in 1997, suggests that society assigns different roles to men and women, creating expectations that men will be assertive leaders while women will be nurturing caregivers. This expectation influences political perceptions, where leadership is often seen as requiring traditionally masculine traits like decisiveness, while caregiving roles align with feminine traits like empathy. Role Congruity Theory (Eagly & Karau, 2002) expands on this idea, suggesting that bias occurs when there is a mismatch between a person’s gender and the expected role, such as when women leaders face prejudice for not fitting a traditionally masculine mold, even if they display strong leadership qualities. 

Trait and Domain Stereotypes further highlight how certain character traits and roles are linked to specific genders. Research by Huddy and Terkildsen (1993) shows that men are often viewed as more capable in masculine domains like the military, while women are seen as better suited for nurturing roles, such as in education or healthcare. The Modern Gender Gap Theory (Inglehart and Norris, 2000) connects these ideas to current trends, showing that women in modern societies are increasingly drawn to progressive political views, partly due to their growing presence in the workforce. Meanwhile, some men may feel their opportunities are threatened, leading them to favor more traditional roles, especially in areas like military leadership. 

Finally, Masculinist Attitudes and Modern Sexism describe how some young men in Germany may resist gender equality measures, feeling their prospects are impacted by societal changes. While overt sexism has declined, this subtle bias reflects broader social dynamics rather than individual intent. Together, these theories provide a comprehensive understanding of how gender stereotypes continue to influence political choices. 

Methodology: Gathering Insights from German Youth 

To explore these questions, I conducted an online survey with 92 young adults in Germany, aged 18-29. Participants evaluated hypothetical political candidates who differed by gender, character traits (masculine or feminine), and the political domain they were associated with (education or military). They rated their likelihood of voting for each candidate and assessed how well each candidate fit the role, providing insights into how gender stereotypes affect political decisions and testing our hypotheses on the influence of gender versus character traits and the adherence to traditional roles. 

Key Findings: The Role of Gender and Character Traits in Voting 

The survey uncovered several key patterns in how gender stereotypes shape political preferences among young adults in Germany.  

In the education domain, both male and female participants generally preferred candidates of their own gender when character traits were not considered. Additionally, male participants preferred female candidates with feminine traits over male candidates with feminine traits, if asked for a direct comparison. However, female participants preferred male candidates with feminine traits over female candidates with masculine traits. This suggests that female participants placed greater emphases on the traits instead of the gender in voting decisions. In the military domain, male participants favored candidates with masculine traits, such as assertiveness and decisiveness, regardless of the candidate’s gender. This aligns with the stereotype that military leadership requires masculine qualities. Female participants, however, preferred candidates with feminine traits, like empathy and cooperation, even in the military setting. This shows that young women are more likely to challenge traditional gender roles, valuing traits that emphasize collaboration and empathy, even in roles typically associated with masculinity. 

These findings suggest that male participants tend to adhere more strongly to traditional gender roles, especially in settings like the military. In contrast, female participants demonstrate more flexibility, placing greater importance on character traits over gender in both domains and showing less adherence to traditional expectations. 

Implications and Conclusion: Moving Toward a More Equitable Political Landscape 

The results indicate that while gender stereotypes continue to shape political preferences, the character traits of candidates often hold more sway, particularly among young women. Male participants are more likely to stick to traditional gender roles, especially in masculine domains, whereas female participants are more open to evaluating candidates based on their character traits rather than gender. 

For political campaigns targeting young voters, understanding these dynamics can lead to more effective strategies. Emphasizing traits like empathy and collaboration could appeal to a broader audience, even in traditionally masculine fields like the military. Recognizing the different ways that male and female voters weigh gender and traits can help tailor messages to resonate more deeply with each group. 

While progress has been made, my research highlights the ongoing need to challenge stereotypes to foster a political landscape where candidates are judged by their abilities and character traits, rather than by gendered expectations.