Research on Women in Legislatures

Media commentators, political activists, and feminist scholars all express the belief that the election of more women to public office will result in greater attention to the needs of women, children, and families and will change the very process by which public policy is made. This review essay examines the progress made by scholars towards answering these questions. I evaluate the major findings in three significant areas of research: the experience of women as candidates, the policy impact of women as legislators, and the relationship of women to the institutions in which they serve. Finally, directions for future research are suggested.