As the 2024 election approaches, a stark political divide rooted in gender and marital status has come into sharp focus. For the Democratic Party, and particularly for Vice President Kamala Harris, single women have emerged as the most crucial constituency. The single, independent woman is not just a key demographic — she may be the linchpin of Harris’ political future.
Recent data from the Pew Research Center underscores just how pronounced the divide is: 72% of never-married women are registered Democrats, compared to only 24% aligning with Republicans. Conversely, 50% of married women are Republicans. Meanwhile, the split among men, while still present, is far less significant. As marriage rates plummet and America’s fertility rate declines, this gap is expected to grow even wider, especially as young single men increasingly lean toward supporting Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
The decline of marriage, compounded by the 20th-century sexual revolution, has resulted in an ideological shift that makes marriage seem less appealing while promoting sexual freedom, contraception, and abortion as central to female empowerment. The Democratic Party, recognizing this shift, now prioritizes access to contraception and abortion, rallying single women who view these issues as essential to their autonomy and lifestyle.
But it’s not just a political trend — it’s a cultural one. The so-called “childless cat ladies” or “single woke females” have embraced a life of independence and, in some cases, libertinism. For them, marriage is often sidelined, and a woman’s career, personal freedom, and control over reproductive rights take precedence. The GOP experienced the power of this demographic in 2022 when, despite high expectations, the predicted “red wave” didn’t materialize, partly due to the Democratic Party’s emphasis on abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
But beyond individual choices, the federal government and broader societal changes have further fueled this divide. Welfare policies unintentionally incentivized single motherhood, while the broader cultural push towards prioritizing careers over family life has redefined success for many women. In this context, marriage is no longer seen as necessary or even desirable. As J.D. Vance bluntly described it, we are witnessing the rise of the “childless cat lady.”
This shift has profound implications, not just culturally but also politically. Single women have become the bedrock of the Democratic base, while married women — often more conservative in their values — align more frequently with the Republican Party. The decline of religiosity has also played a role in this, with Christian moral teachings about marriage no longer serving as a dominant cultural force. Many churches have adapted to the sexual revolution, with some religious institutions even celebrating values that were once deemed immoral by traditional standards.
The upcoming presidential election will further expose this gender and marital status divide. While men are increasingly turning toward conservative values, women, particularly single women, are solidifying their alliance with the Democratic Party. Reversing the decline in marriage and family formation will take generations, but until then, the gender gap will likely remain a defining feature of American politics — and in 2024, it may just be the key to determining whether Kamala Harris secures the presidency.
The “single woke female” is not just a demographic — she is a powerful political force, and her rise signals a cultural shift that both parties must contend with in the years to come.
