Feminism and the Gender Gap--A Second Look

Using data from the 1984 American National Election Study, we reconsider the argument that feminism helps women realize their feminine values and policy preferences. Using an operational definition that allows us to identify male and female feminists, we find that feminism has a similar impact on the values and policy preferences of men and women, suggesting that feminism leads to feminist, not feminine values. In addition, we examine Conover's conclusion that the gender gap is due entirely to feminist women and find a gender gap among feminist men and women, potentially feminist men and women, and nonfeminist men and women.