Single Women in the Legislature: Policy, Electability, and Relatability
The presence of single women in the U.S. legislature has steadily increased, reflecting broader societal shifts and highlighting the growing influence of this demographic in politics. Currently, women make up 28% of the 118th Congress—the highest percentage in U.S. history, representing 153 of the 540 voting and nonvoting members. This figure marks a 59% increase from a decade ago. While still below their share of the overall U.S. population, the increase in women’s representation brings diverse perspectives to legislative decision-making, especially those of single women, whose lived experiences and policy priorities often differ from their married counterparts.
Currently, women make up 28% of the 118th Congress—the highest percentage in U.S. history
Single women, including never-married, divorced, or widowed, constitute 23% of the electorate. This segment is poised to grow, with projections indicating that by 2030, 45% of Gen Z and millennial women will be single. Legislators like Stacey Abrams, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Jasmine Crockett, Rashida Tlaib, Katie Porter, and Tennessee State Senator London Lamar are among the notable single women in politics who have made significant strides in their careers. These politicians often champion issues directly affecting single women, such as reproductive rights, economic security, healthcare access, and childcare support.
Single women in the legislature tend to bring unique perspectives shaped by their experiences. Their status often informs their policy priorities, making them strong advocates for issues like reproductive rights, healthcare, childcare, and workplace equality. For example, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal advocate for affordable healthcare and economic equality, issues that resonate with single women who may not have the financial support of a partner. Similarly, London Lamar’s focus on healthcare and education aligns with the priorities of single women voters.
Single women, including never-married, divorced, or widowed, constitute 23% of the electorate.
The relatability of single women legislators often enhances their electability among voters who share similar life experiences. These politicians can authentically connect with constituents facing similar challenges, building trust and credibility. However, the perception of single women’s electability can be complex. While their independence is admired by some, traditional views may still favor candidates with families, viewing them as more stable or reliable. This bias can pose a challenge to single women politicians, requiring them to work harder to prove their leadership capabilities.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s career provides an interesting example of how marital status can intersect with political success. Harris spent much of her early career unmarried and without children, which may have allowed her to devote more time and energy to her professional ambitions. Unlike many male politicians, who often have spouses managing household responsibilities, Harris had to manage both her career and personal life independently, potentially giving her the freedom to pursue her goals without traditional familial constraints.
The increasing presence of single women in the U.S. legislature has led to a stronger focus on policies that address the unique needs and challenges of single women, particularly around economic security, reproductive rights, healthcare access, educational opportunities, and safety. These legislators, often drawing from their own experiences, advocate for laws that improve the quality of life for single women, ensuring they have equal opportunities to thrive economically, socially, and professionally. Here are some notable policies championed by single women in the legislature that reflect their commitment to supporting single women:
1. Reproductive Rights and Health Care
Single women legislators have been at the forefront of advocating for reproductive rights, recognizing that control over one's reproductive health is essential for personal autonomy and economic stability. For instance, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has been a vocal supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which seeks to safeguard the right to access abortion free from medically unnecessary restrictions and bans. This legislation aims to codify the rights established in Roe v. Wade, providing a federal safeguard against restrictive state laws that disproportionately impact single women, particularly those with low incomes or limited access to healthcare services.
Similarly, Rep. Rashida Tlaib has supported initiatives like the Medicare for All Act, which proposes a single-payer healthcare system that would provide comprehensive coverage, including reproductive healthcare, to all Americans. This policy is particularly beneficial to single women, who often face higher healthcare costs due to lack of spousal coverage and who may have to navigate the healthcare system on their own. Access to affordable healthcare ensures that single women can make decisions about their health and family planning without the constraints of prohibitive costs.
2. Economic Security and Workplace Equality
Economic security is a critical concern for single women, who are more likely to live on a single income and face financial instability. Legislators like Stacey Abrams have worked tirelessly to address economic disparities through policies that promote fair wages and workplace equality. As a strong advocate for raising the minimum wage, Abrams understands that single women, particularly those in low-paying jobs, are disproportionately affected by wage inequality. Increasing the minimum wage is a crucial step toward ensuring that single women can support themselves and their families.
Katie Porter, known for her sharp questioning in Congress, has been an advocate for pay equity and transparency in the workplace. Her work on the Paycheck Fairness Act aims to close the gender pay gap by making it illegal for employers to retaliate against workers who discuss their salaries and requiring employers to demonstrate that pay disparities are based on factors other than gender. By ensuring equal pay for equal work, this policy directly supports single women, who often shoulder the financial burdens alone.
3. Childcare Support and Family Leave
Single women with children face the dual challenges of providing financially and caring for their families. Legislators like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib have championed policies that support affordable childcare and family leave, recognizing these as essential for economic stability. The Child Care for Working Families Act is one such policy, which aims to make childcare affordable for low- and middle-income families by ensuring that no family earning less than 150% of the state median income pays more than 7% of their income on childcare. This legislation would significantly ease the financial burden on single mothers, enabling them to participate fully in the workforce without the prohibitive costs of childcare.
Additionally, single women legislators have supported the expansion of paid family leave policies. For example, AOC has been a proponent of the FAMILY Act, which would establish a national paid family and medical leave program. This policy would provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for personal or family health issues, childbirth, or caregiving responsibilities, offering critical support for single women who cannot rely on a partner to share caregiving duties.
4. Housing Affordability and Access
Housing affordability is another area where single women face significant challenges, particularly in urban centers where rents are high. Single women legislators have recognized the need for policies that ensure access to affordable housing. For example, Rep. Ilhan Omar has been a strong advocate for the Homes for All Act, which proposes a significant investment in the construction of affordable housing units and seeks to provide rental assistance to low-income individuals. This policy aims to tackle the housing crisis by making safe and affordable housing accessible, which is particularly beneficial for single women who may struggle to afford housing on a single income.
5. Education and Student Debt Relief
Access to education and relief from student debt are critical for single women seeking economic mobility. Single women legislators have been at the forefront of advocating for policies that reduce the burden of student debt and increase access to higher education. For instance, Rep. Ayanna Pressley has supported initiatives to cancel student debt, recognizing that women, and especially women of color, disproportionately carry the burden of student loans. By reducing or eliminating student debt, single women can have greater financial freedom and the opportunity to invest in their future.
6. Criminal Justice Reform
Single women, particularly women of color, are often disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system, whether through personal experiences or those of family members. Single women legislators like Cori Bush have championed criminal justice reform, advocating for policies that address systemic inequities and promote rehabilitation over punishment. Bush’s work on the People’s Response Act aims to provide community-based alternatives to policing, focusing on mental health and social services. Such reforms are crucial for single women who may be primary caregivers for family members impacted by the criminal justice system.
7. Gun Reform and Domestic Violence Protections
Gun violence and domestic violence are significant concerns for single women, who are statistically more vulnerable to intimate partner violence. Single women legislators have been instrumental in advocating for stronger gun control measures to protect victims of domestic violence. For example, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which has been supported and reauthorized with the help of single women legislators like Sen. Tammy Baldwin, includes provisions that prevent individuals convicted of domestic violence from owning firearms. These "red flag" laws are crucial for the safety of women, as research shows that the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide.
Additionally, Rep. Katie Porter has been vocal about closing the "boyfriend loophole," which currently allows individuals convicted of domestic violence against a dating partner (but not a spouse) to purchase firearms. By closing this loophole, lawmakers aim to provide comprehensive protection for all women, regardless of their marital status, and reduce the number of intimate partner homicides.
Kamala Harris’s experience underscores the societal expectation that women must often choose between family and career, a choice not equally expected of men.
Harris’s experience underscores the societal expectation that women must often choose between family and career, a choice not equally expected of men. For male politicians, having a family is typically seen as a stabilizing factor. In contrast, for women, it can be viewed as a distraction or hindrance. Harris’s success demonstrates the potential of single women to achieve high political office and challenges traditional gender norms that still influence perceptions of women in power.
The issue of single politicians is not exclusive to women; the GOP faces its own challenges with single male politicians like Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham. Despite being unpartnered, these men have consistently voted against policies that support women’s rights and autonomy, aligning with conservative ideologies. This pattern suggests that marital status alone does not dictate a politician’s stance on women’s rights and emphasizes the importance of broader ideological beliefs. Opinion: They know absolutely nothing about women, their bodies or hopes for their own futures despite the choice they’ve made for themselves.
In contrast, younger single male politicians, such as Tennessee Representatives Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, show a different approach. Both unmarried, they advocate for women’s rights and progressive values, highlighting that being single does not inherently align with conservative views. Their advocacy for reproductive rights and social justice illustrates that the priorities of single politicians can vary widely, reflecting a range of political ideologies.
Despite progress at the national level, regional disparities persist, particularly in the Southeastern U.S. States like Tennessee and Mississippi have seen minimal increases in women legislators over the past two decades. This gender imbalance has significant implications for policy, especially in areas where male-dominated legislatures have imposed strict abortion bans, often without the voices of women at the table. The absence of women’s perspectives in these discussions results in policies that may not fully consider or represent the experiences of women, particularly around reproductive health.
The impact of women legislators is evident in states where they have gained more representation. Studies show that women are more likely to advocate for policies related to maternal health, childcare, and education—issues directly affecting women and families. This advocacy underscores the importance of increasing women’s representation in state and national legislatures to ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to policymaking.
The growing influence of single women in the legislature marks a significant shift in American politics, one that reflects changing societal norms and the increasing power of single women voters. While challenges remain, including traditional perceptions of electability and regional disparities in representation, the rise of single women legislators offers hope for more inclusive and representative governance. As more single women ascend to political power, their unique perspectives and advocacy will continue to shape policies that better reflect the needs and aspirations of a diverse electorate - the growing population of single women and adults in the United States.