Keynote speaker, Dr. Kay Lehman Schlozman of the Political Science Department at Boston College discussed "Gender, Citizen Participation, and Lessons of Politics" at the 2001 annual Maine Town Meeting. Schlozman began her remarks by introducing the country's first possible female presidential candidate -- pearls, high heels, blonde, beautiful -- Barbie! "What if politics weren't a man's game?" asked Dr. Schlozman. "Why is it that men are more active in politics than women?"

In studying sample groups through the years, researchers have found that respondents attributed the following reasons for their political inactivity. Time --women with children at home and jobs do not have time to take part in politics. Psychic space -- women are so involved at home, they are preoccupied. Focus on family -- as long as men function as the head of household and women are unequal at home, women cannot be equal citizens. Socioeconomic resources -- women are disadvantaged with respect to education, income, and occupational status. Discrimination and socialization -- childhood and adult socialization create environments that make women believe that politics, like football, is not for them.

Dr. Schlozman found, however, that respondent answers did not confirm the actual facts. Women with children and full-time jobs have, on average, the same amount of leisure time as men. Children underfoot did not have any impact. A household in which traditional roles are taken does not stop political activity. Gender discrimination does not explain non-participation in politics either. That being the case, what does explain this disparity in participation by women? Compared to women, men are, on average, better educated and their level of education is more strongly related to political activity. Compared to women, men are more likely to participate in political activity on the job, as well as attend meetings, write letters, and all those things that one does in a totally non-political way, that are skill endowing and can be brought into politics. Men are more psychologically engaged in politics, says Dr. Schlozman.

In her concluding remarks, she asked, "What if the political environment were 50/50? Women's interest would surpass that of men. We wouldn't have to change anything else and the gender difference would close." "Maine people have known this for a long time." Maine's senior senator, Olympia Snowe, is quoted as saying, "It makes a difference to women and to girls to see women standing side by side with men." Maine's other female senator, Susan Collins, relates the story of her visit to Washington when she was a young girl and the disparity in time spent with her by the male Senator ("a passing minute") and the time Senator Smith spent with her (two hours ). Says Schlozman, "Margaret Chase Smith actually lived what Barbie aspired to. In her many speeches, Margaret Chase Smith often asked the question, 'Where is the proper place for women?" Her answer was "Everywhere!"