@article{esj 82, author = {Martina Serafini}, title = {Gender Gap in Electoral Behavior}, volume = {12}, year = {2021}, url = {http://publications.essex.ac.uk/esj/article/id/82/}, issue = {1}, doi = {10.5526/esj57}, abstract = {<p></p><h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 22px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The ongoing discussion regarding gender inequalities in electoral participation has been given considerable attention in political science. This paper focuses, in particular, on women and men's different levels of engagement in voter turnout. It is generally accepted that, since women's empowerment, gender disparities in electoral behaviour have disappeared or even reversed. Nonetheless, women still participate less than men in specific contests, e.g. second order elections. First order and second order voter turnouts are compared, confirming that gender gap still arises in the latter. I consider two possible casual mechanisms accountable for these inequalities. The first one, taking into consideration resources and rational choice model, is deemed inconsistent. It is proved that social-economic status does not have an impact on the gender gap. The second argument refers to political interest as the mobilizing force of voter turnout. Since second order elections are perceived as more abstract and less rewarding, only politically motivated individuals participate. Indeed, the literature points out that women are generally less psychologically involved than men, therefore they do not cast a vote in supranational contests. Lastly, cultural stereotype and socialization are identified as the primary cause for the general disparities in interest. </h5><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 22px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p>}, month = {6}, keywords = {Gender Gap,Electoral Behaviour,Second Order Elections,Political Interest}, issn = {2633-7045}, publisher={University of Essex Library Services}, journal = {Essex Student Journal} }