What Women Want…in Ohio

As of 2006, a little more than half of the Ohio population is female, a fact that really isn’t too interesting or notable except when we remember (did we ever forget?) that Ohio is the swingiest of the swing states right now. Consequently, every detail counts when it comes to analyzing the demographics of the state. Reporter for The Plain Dealer Karen Sandstrom asked women voters to share what they really want when it comes to the election. Typical issues like the economy and the war dominate their commentary, which leads me to my next question–what do we accomplish by focusing on groups like “women” (which, I would also argue, is not as specific as it wants to be)? What we learn here is that these women have the same interests as the general population. Take this tidbit for example:

“The war also looms for women whose concerns about international politics include the perception that the United States has squandered the good will of American allies. Sue Kaiser believes the U.S. has “totally alienated” much of the rest of the world in recent years.”

The war looms for women? Does it intentionally bypass men? Why should we box people into little squares of identity and act like they must inherently have a vested and passionate interest in something just because they’re women, or black, or from Ohio, or a black woman from Ohio. Sure we can learn from it, but acting like basic facets of our identities is all that matters is extremely limiting. What gives? Think about it.