Why is it somehow ok to reduce female politicians to their looks? To throw gender stereotypes at them? To devalue their worth and role in making a contribution to society?
Two reasons:
Threats must be stomped!
Don't know this is true, consider it as an off-the-cuff analysis, so on with the Pop Neuro-Psychology!
By focusing the message and narrative on Looks they feed into the stereotype of "The little woman, God bless 'er" carrying the connotation of "not to be taken seriously" to men.
For women have to get a little more subtle, i.e. Sex. (OK, not so subtle.) In our species females "display" in order to attract the attention of males: clothes, make-up, stinkumperfumes, & etc. Part of "display" is being seen. (Like, duh.) And a female politician on the 'telly' IS being seen. Further she is being seen under social and cultural imaging conveying High Rank. Moreover this High Rank woman is in HER space -- the living room -- "displaying" to HER mate -- that slob of a husband, boyfriend, etc. The thalamus kicks-in: THREAT! Threat brings anxiety which is appeased by disparagement of the "display."
The new wave of female firebrands striking fear into liberal America
The firebranding is the only reason those new divas exist, indeed. The art of empty politics (as the "needed" opposite of substance politics) is evolving. At first you need an actor, then a chummy beer pal against a wooden "non-charisma", then "outspoken" hero bitches.
