The Way We Lie - Women, Lying, and the 2008 Election
We don't call them 'crooks and liars' for nothing. American voters, like those the world over, expect that they'll be lied to by the candidates. We want to believe, but gosh darn it, there's that grain of salt we have to take along with what they say. And with sodium intake a risk factor for high blood pressure, we should ask ourselves - why do we put up with it? Aren't presidential elections stressful enough without the lies?
Many of us expected that with women in the race, we could trust them. That there would be less lying. Not quite. There's still lying going on, but it's a different sort of lie. Men lie to get away with stuff. Women lie to cope with unsatisfying situations. Do we feel more compassion for the woman who lies? More acceptance? Or more scorn?
Gender expert Susan Shapiro Barash has written a number of books on women's lives and the cultural pressures we face. And she knows a thing or two about lying. She's heard from hundreds of women who have told her their stories and - more importantly - shared the truth about the ways in which they lie.
Like the rest of us, she's watching this election. But unlike the rest of us, she sees the lies that women are telling in this election not simply as mistruths, but as evidence of the internal struggles they grapple with.
Susan and I discussed the 2008 election, the women candidates, the spouses, and the lies. And at the very end, an extra bonus - her take on the vice presidential debate. It's fascinating to read. Would I lie to you?
Related article: Women, Lying and the 2008 Election - Why Women Candidates and Spouses Lie
Comments
I hate to admit it but McCain and Palin are liars. There’s no doubt Palin was caught red handed! The McCain campaign prides itself on straight talk and while inquiring “Who is the real Barack Obama?”. Maybe they can answer the question, who is the real Sarah Palin? The GOP has two candidates in the General Election with questionable judgement and temperment. This should have been the second time Sarah Palin was found guilty of Abuse of Power. The first time was when she demanded her teenage daughter to marry her boyfriend before the media realized she was pregnant. Coming from a female Republican, Sarah Palin was a horrible choice to put on the ticket. I’m removing my McCain-Palin 08 sign from my lawn. Sorry John McCain you lost my support.
I think I can add something to that. If the lie is aimed at making a woman look “unique” or “special”, even if it’s because she is a “victim” rather than a heroine – then the chances are she’s stretching the truth… and this, like elastic, tends to spring back and hit her right between the eyes.
Women are in fact far more accomplished liars than are men as a rule. Research has shown this to be the case. Read more here:
http://alphadominance.com/?p=103