Survey: Young Americans are the least supportive of the idea of a woman as US president

A new poll by American University, published in Politico, shows that voters under the age of 50 are the least open to the idea of a woman in the office of US president. Four in ten Americans say they know someone who would not vote for a woman for the White House.

Although the majority of respondents support greater representation of women in politics, there is a double standard – voters believe that a female president should be both “tough” and “likeable.”

A quarter of women under the age of 50 and 20 percent of men under the age of 50 would not vote for a female presidential candidate, while 13 percent of men and women over the age of 50 said they were not open to a female president.

Researcher Viva de Vicq described the results as paradoxical. Voters trust women on issues such as abortion, gender equality, and childcare, but less so on issues of national security and international conflicts.

The survey also reveals broader trends following Kamala Harris' failed candidacy. More than 40 percent of independent voters believe that her defeat has made the path more difficult for future female candidates.

(max)