Negative consequences of the androcentric organization of politics in male parliamentarians from provinces with an extensive history of gender parity laws. The case of Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore, from the perspective of male parliamentarians, the existence of changes in the androcentric organization of politics in representative systems with a long history of implementing gender parity laws, using the province of Córdoba (Argentina) as a case study. Twelve interviews were conducted with legislators from different parties, and thematic analysis was performed using Atlas.ti software. The findings indicated that in political systems influenced by gender parity laws, there are variations in male experiences concerning the persistent androcentric organization of politics. However, it was also found that, despite identifying the detrimental effects of this organization in their lives, men do not change their behavior. These results suggest that although gender parity laws have facilitated significant advances in the representation of women in the institutional political sphere, they have not managed to transform the organizational structure designed to favor men and perpetuate gender inequality. Among the limitations of this study is its inability to be exhaustive in identifying and analyzing other negative consequences of the androcentric organization of politics that male parliamentarians may recognize, as well as in understanding the variability of male experiences in relation to this organization following the implementation of gender parity laws.