Women and Politics

Since the election on Tuesday, I have been puzzling over a statistic that I heard:  the majority of women voted for President Obama.  This surprised me and I've been pondering and coming up with my own theories on the why, but was hesitant to put them out there because some of them were not very complimentary to women.

While watching the news last night, a panel discussed this very question and came to the same conclusions that I had.  First, the numbers:  among women voters, 54% voted for Obama v. 46% for Romney.  But when broken down to single and married women, a majority of singles -  63% - voted for Obama while a  majority of married women (55%) voted for Romney.  Now to the "why".  

Obama speaks to the need of a single woman to be cared for.  Married women have a spouse looking out for them, but a single woman is on her own, yet still has that innate desire to be watched over and Obama's plans, particularly that on providing healthcare and financial assistance, fill that need.  Secondly, on social issues, particularly abortion, single women want to know that they can get that abortion when they need one.  One panelist expressed that married women tend not to be thinking about abortion, but for a single woman, she wants that available to her and wants to know that the government will help her get it (through the new healthcare plan).  

As I listened to my own thoughts confirmed and said aloud, I was greatly saddened about the road my gender is traveling down.  I am deeply supportive of women's rights and the importance of fair treatment for women and girls across the globe.  I truly believe that it is women who can be the most effective leaders in taking countries and communities and families toward a productive and enriching society.  As I see more and more women make the choice to be single, to eschew the roles of wife and mother, I see a narrowing of their opportunities and a limiting of their ability to change and impact the world for good. 

I was also dismayed by the ebbing of moral values shown by the abortion issue.  Historically, women have been the champions of moral standards and conduct, yet clearly, that has deteriorated to the point where a majority of single women would choose a president and political philosophy that ensures they can be sexually active and have a back-up plan if it doesn't go the way they want it to.  It seems that selfishness has become a majority trait.

What can be done?  My thoughts quickly traveled to this conclusion: how much more we need to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ!  No political campaign or ideological debate will have the impact of a heart converted to Christ.  I was immediately grateful for the decision of a prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson, to allow missionaries to serve at a younger age which has resulted in a huge surge of young people going out to spread the message of Christ. My prayers have increased that the people of my country will listen and believe. And I can continue my work on my most important stage:  my home.  I have four daughters who are intelligent, talented, capable, and followers of Christ. They can make a difference.

And so can I.