"I Don't Think Either Side Gets It": Rural Midwestern Women on Gender, Politics, and Being Left Behind

This thesis investigates how gender and geographic identity intersect to shape political behavior in rural American communities, with a particular focus on rural women. While rural political alignment is often viewed through economic or partisan lenses, this research highlights the deeper cultural, social, and gendered forces at play. Drawing on 12 in-depth interviews with women across the rural Midwest, the study explores how rural consciousness, traditional gender roles, and educational outmigration influence political affiliation and values. Findings reveal stark differences in how liberal and conservative women perceive the role of gender in their lives: liberal women frequently identify gendered limitations and cite reproductive rights and healthcare as key political concerns, while conservative women tend to view traditional gender roles as natural and unproblematic, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and self-reliance. The thesis also demonstrates how rural identity is shaped by feelings of exclusion from national discourse and by misrepresentation in media and politics. Ultimately, this project contributes to a more nuanced understanding of rural voting behavior by centering women's voices and highlighting the complex relationship between gender, place-based identity, and political polarization in the United States.