Politicoloog Loes Aaldering van de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) ontvangt een Vidi-financiering van de Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) voor onderzoek naar politiek seksisme onder jongeren.
Aaldering will investigate how ideas regarding the roles of men and women in politics are formed, to what extent political sexist views are normalized among young people, and how this trend can be countered. Through her research, she aims to contribute to a democracy in which men and women have equal opportunities.
How does political sexism emerge among young people?
During adolescence, young people develop key political beliefs and values. These can shape their future perspectives on politics, leadership, and democracy. At the same time, young people are growing up in a society where discussions about gender and the roles of men and women, both in society and in politics, take a central role. Furthermore, female politicians often face sexist prejudice and abuse.
The potential rise in (strongly) gender conservative views - particularly among young men -raises important questions. To what extent are sexist ideas becoming integrated into the political thinking of young people? And what does this mean for their perceptions of who is suited to hold political leadership roles?
Relatively little is currently known about these issues. “Through this research, I want to gain a better understanding of how political sexism emerges among adolescentsand what can be done to counter it,” says Aaldering.
Two forms of political sexism
In her research, Aaldering distinguishes between two of political sexism.
The first is ‘sexism as politics,’ which refers to the political ideology of male-supremacy. One example is the online "manosphere" - online communities and networks where, among other things, a social order is promoted in which men hold disproportional power, while women are subordinated. A second form is sexism in politics. This involves prejudices against politicians based on their gender. For instance, people might unconsciously assume that men are better suited for leadership roles than women, or they may evaluate female politicians differently than their male counterparts.
Until now, these two forms have largely been studied separately, and primarily among adults. Aaldering brings them together within a single theoretical framework, aiming to gain insight into how political ideas and prejudices develop during adolescence and how they might reinforce one another.
Research in three countries
To investigate the prevalence and mechanisms of these forms of political sexism, Aaldering is conducting research in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
She combines large-scale surveys with measurement methods capable of capturing less conscious associations. Additionally, she will conduct experiments to examine how young people evaluate political situations and which factors influence these assessments.
This international comparison helps to identify similarities and differences among young people across the three countries. It can clarify which patterns are more widespread and which may be linked to specific political and societal contexts.
Young people contribute to solutions
The research focuses not only on understanding political sexism but also on developing ways to counter it. Aaldering aims to create and test interventions that are well-suited to the age and lived experiences of young people. In this process, she combines elements such as gender pedagogy, experiential learning, and the identification of one’s own biases. The goal is to provide young people with insight into how sexism can shape their perceptions of politics and leadership.
Aaldering actively involves young people throughout the entire project. By collaborating with them to develop the theoretical framework, measurement tools, and interventions, she ensures that the research remains grounded in their personal experiences and daily realities.
Contributing to a resilient and egalitarian democracy
The significance of this research lies primarily in the relationship between political views, equal representation, and the quality of democracy. “If political sexist biases take root at an early age -or come to be viewed as ‘just the way things are’ - they may well influence how individuals later perceive politicians and political participation,” says Aaldering.
Gaining a deeper understanding of these processes can help in identifying biases sooner and addressing them more effectively. This is particularly relevant for sectors such as education and for initiatives that support young people in developing their political and civic engagement.