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] - This gender gap in economic sentiment is a long-standing trend in America, dating back decades, and has widened in recent years [3][4] - Women are more pessimistic about the economy's future, with half expecting it to worsen in the next year, compared to only 20% who expect improvement [6] Factors Influencing Women's Economic Outlook - Women's economic pessimism is linked to their experiences, including the persistent pay gap and disproportionate caregiving responsibilities, which can negatively impact their earnings over time [3][8] - A higher percentage of single-parent households are headed by women (approximately 20% of kids in America) compared to men (less than 5%), contributing to financial strain [10] - Women tend to focus on immediate economic indicators like grocery prices, which have been significantly impacted by inflation, while men pay more attention to macro elements like the stock market [12][13] Impact on Political Landscape - The economy will be a central issue in upcoming elections, and understanding women's economic concerns is crucial for both parties to develop effective messaging [15][17] - Messaging focused on addressing everyday costs, like the price of eggs, may resonate more with women, while highlighting stock market performance may appeal more to men [16] - Women have seemingly lost faith in the American dream [14]