How the loss of male-dominated industrial jobs pushes communities to the political right

Communities that lose manufacturing and mining jobs once held by men and experience a rise in female-dominated service sector jobs often turn to right-wing politicians in response. This shift in voting patterns is the focus of a study published in the American Journal of Political Science. In the past few decades, many industrial centers in the United States have seen their traditional male-dominated industries collapse, forcing workers to transition to lower-paying roles typically held by women, such as in healthcare and education.

This economic upheaval has created a longing for the traditional male-breadwinner family structure among both men and working-class women. The researchers from the University of Notre Dame, University of Zurich, and Princeton University examined how these gendered labor market shifts affect voting behavior. They found that male voters, regardless of educational background, were more likely to support Republican candidates who promise to revive traditional jobs like coal mining and steel manufacturing.

Women without a college degree also shifted their voting to the right due to the economic strain on their households. However, women with a college degree showed no significant change in their voting intentions, suggesting they were less affected by the economic and cultural changes. The study also explored how these shifting roles within households impacted family attitudes.

When men lost their position as primary earners, they expressed stronger support for a traditional male-breadwinner household model, particularly when their own income significantly decreased. This reaction was observed across men of all educational backgrounds, indicating a widespread attachment to traditional gender roles. For women, taking on additional work hours did not restore support for traditional family structures unless it resulted in higher overall household income.

The research concludes that the loss of male-dominated industrial jobs and the subsequent rise of female-dominated service jobs have created a political shift towards right-wing ideologies as communities grapple with economic and cultural changes.