Carolina de Miguel Moyer’s research while affiliated with University of Toronto and other places

This study confirms the existence of a substantial gender gap in internal political efficacy in contemporary European democracies with survey evidence from the ESS08 and 09 waves. In the article it is argued that part of this gap is rooted in gendered patterns of socialisation according to which men are more likely than women to be socialised in ways that emphasise traits such as assertiveness, predisposition to risk, competition, self-promotion, or… It is found that those who perceive themselves as ready to take risks are more likely to feel able to play an active role in politics. Using mediation analysis, it is also shown that part of the gender gap in internal political efficacy is a result of the lower inclination of women to take risks in comparison to men. These findings suggest that the political realm is perceived by citizens to be more in line with gender stereotypes about men.