Politics and the Election

Girls follow politics and are drawn to the upcoming Presidential election for various reasons. Although the majority of girls want to be involved in the elections and help in various ways, only a small percentage see themselves holding political office.

Statistics

(Source: Girl Scout Research Institute, Girl Survey Panel, N=433, February 2008)

• Eight in 10 girls are interested in the upcoming Presidential election, and for the following reasons:

            - (48%) A woman is running
            - (30%) Want to know all candidates' points of view
            - (29%) An African American is running
            - (26%) The issues are important to them
            - (18%) They like one of the candidates a lot
            - (13%) Other youth my age are interested in it
            - (12%) They like politics
            - ( 5%) Other

• Nearly 70% of girls are not interested in holding any political offices. However, 15% have considered being the President of the United States, 9% a Congresswoman, 8% a school board member, 7% a mayor, 5% a city councilwoman, and 5% a governor.

• Regarding family discussions on politics, 55% of girls tend to talk about politics with their parents and the rest either not very often or never.

• Eight in 10 girls would get involved with this upcoming Presidential election if they could in a number of ways.