This Poll Exposes a Gender Gap That May Shape 2026 Midterms | WSJ

Economic Sentiment Disparity - A 31-percentage point gap exists between women's pessimistic and optimistic views on the economy [1] - Women are more pessimistic about the economy than men, a trend observed for decades [3] - The gender gap in economic sentiment has widened in the last six years, reaching its widest point since 2019 [4] Factors Influencing Women's Economic Pessimism - Women often switch to less expensive groceries to save money and lack confidence in affording vacations, cars, or comfortable retirement [5] - Half of women expect the economy to worsen in the next year, while only 20% anticipate improvement [6] - Women are less confident than men that the next generation will have a more prosperous economic life [7] - Women's lower earnings, often due to caregiving responsibilities, compound over time, impacting their career earnings [8] - A significant percentage, approximately 20%, of children in America live in single-parent households headed by women [10] - Women perceive the economy differently, with grocery prices having an outsized impact on their views [12][13] Political and Marketing Implications - The economy will be a central issue in the upcoming midterm elections [15] - Messages about lowering the cost of everyday items, like eggs, may resonate more with women, while discussions about the booming stock market may appeal more to men [16] - Addressing women's economic concerns is crucial for both political parties to gain their confidence and votes [17]