Women in politics often navigate a tricky landscape, as experts note. They must strike a balance between being viewed as authoritative yet approachable, and how they are addressed plays a key role in this perception.
Vice President Kamala Harris, like many women in leadership, frequently experiences being called by her first name. This can be interpreted as either a sign of familiarity or a lack of respect, making the intent behind it often unclear.
Linguistics expert Deborah Tannen points out that using first names can signal disrespect, as it diminishes a person’s status. However, it can also reflect closeness between individuals.
“People often find women more approachable,” Tannen explains, “but this can come with a lack of respect.” She emphasizes that women leaders are sometimes treated similarly to how children are regarded.
Regarding elections, Tannen views the use of first names as potentially both demeaning and endearing. She remarks that Harris’s approachable demeanor often requires her to smile frequently to avoid being labeled as “severe.”
Former President Donald Trump has criticized Harris’s laugh at recent rallies, labeling her as “Laffin Kamala” and expressing a general disdain for her intelligence. This illustrates the “double bind” faced by female politicians, says Tannen. If they project authority, they risk being called “too aggressive,” but if they lean into traditionally feminine traits, they may be seen as lacking authority.
Interestingly, Tannen observes that people are more likely to address Harris as “Harris” rather than how they would refer to Hillary Clinton as “Clinton,” indicating variations in societal perception.
Shirley Goldin expressed a sense of positivity regarding the personalization of political figures, stating, “If using first names helps leaders feel more relatable, then that’s a good thing.”
A silver lining, according to Carr, is that campaign signs often read “Harris-Walz” rather than “Kamala-Tim,” suggesting a shift towards recognizing women leaders on their professional terms.