They can't vote, but Girl Scout survey shows strong civic spirit

Last month, when a group of seven Girl Scouts from Hampton Roads met with Sen. Tim Kaine to talk about science, technology, engineering and math education they (and he) probably figured they were talking about a subject – career and technical education and girls’ access to it – particularly important to the senator, and to the girls.

But they were, of course, also talking about something else: being engaged in civic and political life.

Thinking of that, a new survey by the Girl Scout Research Institute really strikes home.

Consider: 67 percent of the 1,088 11-to-17-year-olds who the institute surveyed are interested in politics. (Just to put that into perspective, remember than a mere 8 percent of Newport News voters cast ballots in the city election in May and not quite 43 percent of Virginia voters turned out for the hard-fought, high profile gubernatorial race last year).

Be heartened that of the nearly four in 10 girls who said they were interested in becoming a politician, almost all said their motivations were their desire to make a difference (78 percent) and to help people (76 percent).

But while more than eight in 10 of the girls said they’ve participated in a cause, campaign or organization, very nearly as many (74 percent) felt if they wanted a political career, they’d have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously. The reasons: only a third of the girls believe society encourages women to be politicians. When the girls see female politicians in the media, they’re struck by negative picture painted, particularly the view that female politicians are more emotional.

And, thinking of the one in four who are interested in politics, remember this: None of Virginia’s statewide elected officials, nor any of its 11-strong delegation in the House of Representatives is a woman. Only about one in six of our state legislators are women.

Still, thinking of the Girl Scouts and the senator, it's probably a good bet that those percentages are on the way up.

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