Why Girls Lose Interest in Politics, and How to Change It

Jill S. Greenlee is the Max Richter Professor of Politics and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and chair of the Politics Department at Brandeis University. An expert on gender and political behavior, Jill is the author of The Political Consequences of Motherhood and has published other work on the political socialization of children and how caregiving shapes the political views of Americans. Ahead of the 2026 midterm election, Lean In spoke to Jill about her research on how girls think about politics.

Much of your research centers on girls and politics. What drew you to this?

There is a consistent “ambition gap” between women and men when it comes to politics, with women reporting that they’re less interested in politics, less likely to contemplate running for office, and less likely to think they’re qualified to run when compared to men and their self-assessments. My colleagues and I wondered whether the roots of this disparity could be seen in childhood, so we crafted a study to examine it. It turns out this gap does emerge in childhood.

What does your research on the gender gap in political interest and ambition show?

We find that children — both boys and girls — see the political world as a place dominated by men. When asked to draw a political leader, 66% of children draw a man and only 13% draw a woman.

Second, we find that at older ages, girls are more likely to draw men than younger girls are. That means, at the same time girls are internalizing gender norms — the traits, motivations, and goals that women and girls are “supposed to” have — they see politics as a space dominated by men.

We think it’s this disconnect between what girls think they “should” be and what they think politics are like that dampens their political interest.

Why is it important for girls to have an interest in political careers?

While diverse in their political views, on average women differ from men on some important issues. Women tend to be more supportive of social safety net programs and gun control than men, and women in elected office tend to reflect these positions. Women leaders often bring essential perspectives that men do not when it comes to policy debates on issues like reproductive healthcare, childcare, and domestic abuse.

What can parents or caretakers do to foster political interest and ambition?

Talking to children about politics can make a big difference in fostering political interest. Scholars have found that parents (fathers in particular) are less likely to talk about politics to their daughters than their sons. Parents and caregivers can also highlight women leaders to girls, which can help them shift their perception of politics as a male space.

Talking about leadership skills in what we think of as “masculine” and “feminine” traits can also benefit all children. When we move away from always thinking about leaders as being “strong” and “tough” and begin to value leaders who are compassionate and collaborative, we open the door for people of all genders to see that their leadership skills are valued.

What would you say to a girl or woman with a budding interest in politics?

Girls who are interested in politics should think about running for elected office in their schools, participating in a youth program like Elect Her, or working for a political campaign or elected official. If that person is a woman, all the better! Role models can be powerful sources of motivation, information, and social connection.

Women who are interested in politics should connect with one of the many nonpartisan programs that support women’s electoral interests, like Emerge or She Should Run.

Notes

1. Angela L. Bos, Jill S. Greenlee, Mirya R. Holman, Zoe M. Oxley, and J. Celeste Lay, “‘This One’s for the Boys’: How Gendered Political Socialization Limits Girls’ Political Ambition and Interest,” American Political Science Review 116, no. 2 (2022): 484–501, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055421001027.