Advertisement

Why Does A Woman Running for President Have To Be Likable?

19:00
Download Audio
Resume
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks during an organizing event at Curate event space in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (Matthew Putney/AP)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks during an organizing event at Curate event space in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. (Matthew Putney/AP)

When Sen. Elizabeth Warren formed her presidential exploratory committee (and even before that), the criticisms rolled in. She's too "progressive," too "divisive." She botched a DNA test.

But much of the scrutiny centered on one theme: likability.

Politico, for example, wondered if Warren might be “written off as too unlikable before her campaign gets off the ground.”

All this "likability" talk was nothing new for a potential female candidate for the presidency, which remarked upon by Hillary Clinton on Monday.

So, we ask, is it sexist to label women candidates unlikable? Why do women have to be likable in the first place? And what does this fixation on "likable" women say about American political and popular culture?

Guests

Ellen Fitzpatrick, professor of history at the University of New Hampshire. She is also the author of "The Highest Glass Ceiling: Women’s Quest for the American Presidency."

Jeneé Osterheldt, culture writer at The Boston Globe. Her latest piece is "There’s Inequity In How We View Men, Women, And Likability." She tweets @sincerelyjenee.

Related:

Headshot of Zoë Mitchell

Zoë Mitchell Producer and Studio Director
Zoë Mitchell was a Radio Boston producer and studio director.

More…

Headshot of Callum Borchers

Callum Borchers Reporter
Callum covered the Greater Boston business community for Bostonomix.

More…

Advertisement

More from Radio Boston

Listen Live
Close