American Politics - Women's Rights

The American Election in 2012, has been an event that has consumed the worlds media in its countdown to the 7th November. It's impact is worldwide, simply because of it's critical importance to America itself. If asked would an average American been aware of who the candidates for the British Prime Minister were in 2010? It's doubtful, however it would be unusual if a British citizen was unaware of the battle for the Presidency between Obama and Romney. This juxtaposition of awareness, goes some way in illustrating the power of politics within America.

The relationship between the American citizen and American politics has, in the 2012 election been extremely personal. The issues that dominate, whilst undoubtedly heavily present in American society, become the key aspects of Obama and Romney's campaigns, specifically that of: LBGT equality rights, women's rights, unemployment and healthcare. These elements directly link the Presidential campaign to the way the American individual lives their life.

This perhaps can be seen most explicitly in the debates that have arisen in relation to women's rights. The Republicans lead by Romney decided to dictate a new future for women in America, a future that would potentially strip away the rights and equalities earned for women in America; re-establishing a society that freely endorses male superiority. This stance lead by the Republicans raised heavy criticism from Obama and fuelled the matter into becoming one of the critical issues that governed the 2012 election. 

Through the debate, the role of women in America has been thrown into focus. The argument has created perhaps some of the most controversial events of the campaign; and presented to the world an image of the illusion of gender equality in America. The video in which Scarlett Johansson details her experience as a female voter, helps to convey the importance of the woman's vote in the 2012 election and illustrates just how pivotal women's rights became in the campaign; which become an arena for men to decide how women should live their lives.

Perhaps one of the most critical discussions of the election was the attitude towards rape, abortion and contraceptives. These issues raised outrage amongst American citizens when they came into the Republicans campaign. The fact that these key political figures felt that they could dismantle the current attitude and replace it with a misogynistic perception and calling it Christian duty, was abhorrent to those who believed in equality. However; the fact that these issues where even able to come under discussion, conveys the contrasting opinions held by Americans. Whilst some believe in equality and pro-choice others have believe in more typically religious, 'wholesome' family values, that lean towards a pro-life stance. 

Following the discussion of pro life or choice, that question of rape was brought into the issue. Which resulted in the ugly topic of women's rights and relationship to rape. During the campaign, some of the most controversial quotes came from Republicans view on rape. Richard Mourdock (Indiana Senatorial candidate) stated that: "I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen." Wisconsin state representative Roger Rivard said "Some girls rape easy." The fact that these men felt they could comment and pass judgement on this issue resulted in a outraged response from the media. Comedian and actress Tina Fey at a gala in New York expressed her outrage at some of these comments; illustrating the power of the media and celebrity during the election. As celebrities come forward to endorse their chosen candidates, and at the same time conveying just how consuming the Presidential campaign becomes and it infiltrates the American society.