---
"title": "Defense is a Man’s Job"
"description": "Overwhelming margins see men as better able to hand national security issues."
"date": "2008-09-10"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2008/09/10/defense-is-a-mans-job/"
---

# Defense is a Man’s Job

While more Americans rate women ahead of men on matters of public office like working out compromise and keeping government honest, a large gender gap remains in favor of men on dealing with national security and defense issues; 54% rate men as better than women. Only 7% of the public rates women as better on national security issues and 36% rate the genders as equally well equipped to handle such matters in public office. Virtually identical proportions of men (55%) and women (53%) agree men are better handle matters of national security and defense. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/932/men-or-women-whos-the-better-leader)