The members of Congress are citizens elected to serve individuals of a particular congressional district. As a result, the Congress must ensure that all sections of the American culture are well represented, including women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and openly gay or lesbian. Even though women and minorities are inappropriately underrepresented in Congress, they account for a considerable portion of the United States population. According to Becker (2021), women account for 26.4 % of the Congress membership. Moreover, the Congress consists of just 14.7% African Americans, 2.1% Native Americans, 9.7% Hispanic Americans, 2.9% Asian Americans, and 2.9% openly gay or lesbian.
Nature of Representation and Underrepresentation
The patterns of representation indicate that there has been recent progress, especially for women, but they also highlight the necessity for more diversity. Some groups tend to be underrepresented in Congress due to various factors. These include socioeconomic inequality, systemic discrimination, and voter suppression. Moreover, institutional barriers, such as party gatekeeping and unequal campaign funding, often hinder minority candidates’ progress. These challenges create a cycle of underrepresentation, making it difficult for certain groups to break into the political landscape.
Increasing Representation: Trends and Implications
There are various reasons for the increased representation of women and minorities in Congress. First, the civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s established the basis for questioning discriminatory practices and creating a diversified political landscape (Bloom, 2019). Secondly, the increased appreciation of the significance of varied representation has resulted in political parties and voters focusing on candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. Furthermore, the rise of grassroots movements advocating for more inclusion and attempts to promote diversity has led to increased representation.
In my view, the underrepresentation of women and minorities affects the Congress’s business. This is because the Congress may fail to consider vital laws, for example, policies addressing the gender pay gap, which women are more likely to support. Secondly, it may also undermine the legitimacy of the legislative choices because these groups will feel excluded in key decision-making processes. Furthermore, underrepresentation of these groups will undermine their acceptance and increase disparities in representation.
Addressing Underrepresentation
Joint efforts are required at various levels in order to address the issue of underrepresentation. Political parties, for instance, ought to constantly hire and endorse candidates from varied backgrounds to guarantee a representative electorate. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2020) contends that electoral amendments intended for actively encouraging fair campaign funding and fighting suppression of voters are vital to ensure fair competition for all candidates. Lastly, creating political awareness and education among marginalized communities can encourage greater political participation.
Conclusion
The representation of women and minorities in Congress has seen positive developments, but challenges of underrepresentation persist. Systemic barriers, historical discrimination, and institutional factors contribute to the disparity. However, trends in increased representation demonstrate society’s evolving commitment to fostering a more inclusive political system. The presence of women and minorities in Congress enriches its decision-making and responsiveness to diverse policy needs. By implementing electoral reforms, encouraging diverse candidate recruitment, and promoting political engagement, progress can be made toward achieving equal representation and realizing the full potential of a diverse and democratic society.
References
Becker, A. (2021, March 23). Women are still less than one-third of Congress and State legislatures. The 19th. https://19thnews.org/2021/03/women-congress-legislatures-representation/
Bloom, J. M. (2019). Class, race, and the civil rights movement. Indiana University Press.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Promising practices for addressing the underrepresentation of women in science, engineering, and medicine: Opening doors. National Academies Press.
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