Where Are All the Real Women?

Political Ambition and Submissiveness

By: Cynthia Cavendish-Carey

“They” say that you should never discuss politics or religion. It’s hard not to when there’s so much in the news on both of these topics, particularly when such colorful characters are making the news every single day.

Take Michele Bachmann (please).

This article is not about her gaffs (of which there are many). It’s not about whether or not she’s fit to lead the country (not to mention whether or not she should garner the Republican nomination). It’s not about her “evil eyes” on the cover of Time Magazine (yikes).

Leaving all of that aside, this article is about a question that was posed to Ms. Bachmann during the Iowa Straw Poll. Many questions were posed to the debate participants, but one in particular was only put to Michele Bachmann and to her alone. The question regarded her religious beliefs and whether they required her to be submissive to her husband. (The question stemmed from the fact that Ms. Bachmann studied tax law because her husband told her to do so.) For the record, I suppose she handled this question as gracefully as she could stating that, in her mind, submission means respect. Sarah Palin is quoted as saying, “that’s her opinion.” Ms. Palin went on to say that she respects her husband too and that she couldn’t imagine her husband ever telling her what to do when it comes to politics.

What I want to know is this … do these people realize that it’s 2011? Of course, couples should respect one another (regardless of what genders comprise the couple). That should be a baseline in a relationship – whether marriage is between a woman and a man, or any combination thereof. Is it appalling to anyone else that this question was even asked? Fan or not of Michele Bachmann, do you think it’s fair for this question to have been asked? Inquiring minds want to know!

News junkie that I am, this question and Michele’s answer (and Sarah’s response) got a lot of airplay since the Iowa Straw Poll. But, no one seemed to ask the question as to why this question was posed. That’s curious to me. Is it because of the conservative nature of the Republican base? Is it because the debate took place in Iowa? What answer was the questioner looking to elicit from such a question and is that what the religious right really wants to know about potential leaders?

I recall all the calls by female candidates that male counterparts should put on their “man pants.” These references were made during the November 2011 elections (predominantly coming from female Republicans). What a missed opportunity that was for women who threw out that phrase as though it was a good thing. As women, we have inherently different attributes that balance every situation – at home, in the business world, in politics. Why can’t we own that? And, why can’t that be accepted as appropriate … and good? If such questions as submissiveness are permitted, can burkas be far behind?

I want to know what YOU think. Do you believe that questions regarding submissiveness have a place in any debate – political or otherwise? Where are all the real women in leadership and why are they so quiet? Post your comments and let’s hear what YOU have to say …

Cynthia Cavendish-Carey is a business and marketing consultant. She is working on her first novel, “Kachina and the Butterfly Maiden,” which is a young girl’s journey to find her own divine feminine.