As a manuscript. Thesis for obtaining the Candidate degree in of sociological sciences, specialty 22.00.04 – special and branch sociology. – Classical Private University, Zaporozhye, 2018.
The analysis of the actual problem connected with the gender specificity of electoral behavior and electoral activity in modern Ukraine is carried out in the dissertation. A socio-demographic model of electoral behavior and its use in addressing election campaign problems is singled out and described, taking into account the gender aspects of their conduct.
As part of study, in particular, carried out examination of main problems of interaction between women and politics: the general aspects of the functioning of women in politics, the representation of women in government bodies, the specificity of their electoral behavior, including the phenomenon of so-called «gender familiarity». At the same time, the need to strengthen women role in politics and electoral processes are grounded in the need for their representation in government bodies as such, for performing «healthful» functions in the work of government bodies, using the significant educational and professional potential of Ukrainian women, preferences related to environmental protection, health protection, social protection of children, etc.
The main subject of the thesis work is gender stereotypes in electoral processes, which act as generalized notions of male and female roles that are realized in the process of governing the state and its regions, exist in the mass consciousness and are manifested in the course of political electoral activities. Four main types of such gender stereotypes in electoral decisions are singled out and analyzed: regulating, polarizing, personalizing, evaluative.
The sociological studies conducted during the preparation of the dissertation research (public opinion canvass and the experts’ canvass) confirmed the real existence of such stereotypes in the mass consciousness (in particular, such as «Politics is not a woman’s business», «Women in our country dependent on men very much», «Women have a constant conflict between their professional careers and their family life», etc.) and their active influence on the electoral behavior of the country’s population. In addition, it was revealed that up to 40% of the citizens do not consider that it is necessary to participate in elections for various reasons, the majority of the respondents adhere to stereotypes regarding the fact that they only need to vote for those parties that offer a realistic, executable program, and that elections in Ukraine (this was noted by up to 80% of the respondents) are conducted with violations and falsifications.
Finally, it is established that there is a gender specificity in the orientation of the electorate, and it is influenced by three groups of factors. Societal: historical, ideological, economic, social, political, reflecting the «gender sensitivity of legislation», cognitive-propagandistic and gender-stereotyped. Personal: ethnic, national, religious, age, regional, educational, professional. Socio-political: the socio-political system in place at the time of elections in the country, the type of the electoral system, the level and type of the election campaign, the strategies and tactics used in the election campaign.
