By and large, I think sexism is much more prevalent in the West than racism. But that, by itself, is not saying much, because the latter is fading by the minute. Gender roles, as opposed to racial stereotypes, are deeply ingrained in culture and lifestyle, not to mention biology. The treatment of women, even in idealized form, be it in literature, cinema, religion, or popular culture, gives us obvious clues. Women’s treatment of themselves, the fact that most of us wear makeup and high heels, is indicative of the different normative standards applying to each gender.

Some of it is men’s doing, but I think most of it is our own doing. In university I had virtually no female friends. I couldn’t find any girls willing and able to discuss serious ideas on an elevated intellectual level: whether it was physics, mathematics, literature, philosophy, politics, you name it. I was nearly the only female in nearly every non-physical activity that interested me. The silliest conversations I have ever unintentionally eavesdropped on were among girls. By law of large numbers, I think women in North America are less intellectually stimulating than men, and the primary reason for that is that they hold different standards and priorities for themselves. Perhaps they think that being perceived as ditzy makes them more attractive to the opposite sex, in some perverse way. But this is my observation.

Of course, I am not prejudiced against any woman in particular, and although I do believe that sexism is much more alive than racism in this country, it is also my hunch that Americans’ desire to prove to themselves that they aren’t sexist trumps their innate (largely subconscious) sexism. I think being a woman would help rather than hinder, any presidential candidate’s prospects: she would get more attention, more media coverage, and potentially, gentlemanish treatment.

As for THIS woman being contemplated, I would vote for Obama over Sarah Palin every day of the week. I would likely vote for any Democrat over her. There isn’t a single thing I care for in Palin, and besides, I wouldn’t want an anti-abortion-choice, young-earth creationist, and anti-intellectual populist to be the first woman POTUS. There likely would never be a next one, after her.

Just my 2 cents.