Are the population sub groups in your state represented in the elected government?
Is it proportional to the percentages that are present in the population at large?
Research Helpful Hint: The U.S. Constitution prescribes that every ten years the federal government will perform a census.
They post all this information on the Internet. Ascertain the demographics of the state legislature through their web site.
1. Gather the Data
Hint - Use a spreadsheet to simplify the task and to avoid redundant calculations.
Use a matrix to organize your data (Helpful how to by MathDude)
What is the total population of your state?
How many citizens are men? How many are women?
What percentage of your state's population is male?
What percentage is female?
How many men serve in your combined legislature?
What percentage of the legislature is male? (Help with percentages)
How many legislators are women?
What percentage do they represent?
Age is another data set - What is the mean age of the people living in your state?
What is the mean age of your legislature?
Complete this investigation for two other subgroups.
Create a chart showing your findings.
2. Draw some comparisons with the federal government. Select two of the factors you considered regarding your state.
Are subgroups more proportionally represented in the U.S. House? How about the U.S. Senate?
3. Now that you have assembled all this information, share it.
Make a website or presentation about your findings. If you believe there is uneven representation,
what would you suggest be done about it?
Create a pamphlet to advocate for a change or the status quo. Make sure it is rich in the facts you have uncovered.
Or discuss your findings in a class wiki. See Wiki Wiki teaching.
4. Conundrums:
What factors can you identify that have lead to these numbers?
If there is an election coming - Check out the candidates. Are the demographics of the government likely to change?
Extra:
Explore the demographics regarding the appointed
heads of
state government or federal government.
Are your findings the same?
If not, what do you believe are the factors that explain the difference?
Women, Power and Politics - PBS program and resources
UN Development for Women
By The Numbers: Women in National Parliaments
Ranking |
Country |
% in House |
% in Senate |
1 |
Rwanda |
48.8 |
34.6 |
2 |
Sweden |
47.3 |
0 |
3 |
Finland |
43 |
0 |
70 |
United States |
16.3 |
16 |
137 |
Papua New Guinea |
0.9 |
0 |
138 |
Yemen |
0.3 |
1.8 |
139 |
Kyrgyzstan |
0 |
0 |
Anna M. Tinsley, Politics Girl Power, McClatchy Newspapers, June 27, 2007 |
By The Numbers: States' Female Leadership
Governors - 9
Lieutenant governors - 11
Attorneys General - 4
Secretaries of state - 12
State Treasurers and CFO - 11
State Auditors - 6
State comptrollers - 4
Chief state education officials - 8
Anna M. Tinsley, Politics Girl Power, McClatchy Newspapers, June 27, 2007
Center for Women in Government & Civil Society - Glass Ceiling in Gubernatorial Appointments, 1997 - 2007
Head to Head: Debating Affirmative Action
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Updated 10/2021, posted 2/2007 by Cynthia J. O'Hora, released
to the public domain
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