AP GOVERNMENT
Chapter 5
Elements of Diversity
• Sectional differences
• Social and economic
differences
• Race and ethnic differences
• Gender and sexual orientation
• Religious differences
Population Over 65
years of Age in the US
Gender Differences in
Voting (2010 Election)
• Google Image Result for
http://media.gallup.com/poll/grap
hs/080829Gender3_hjklpmn.gif
• Gender Gap in voting---more
women support Democrats but
is that only for whites?
Breakdown
of
Religion
Race and Ethnicity
•
•
•
•
•
•
White: 64%
African Americans: 12%
Hispanics: 16%
Asians: 5%
Native Americans: 1%
Other
The Gender Gap
• As of today, there were 6 female
governors, 17 female senators, and
75 members in the House of
Representatives.
• Democratic presidential candidate Al
Gore received 12 percent more
female votes that the republican
candidate George W. Bush.
• 64% more women than men work at
or below the minimum wage.
• Men and women do not earn
comparable wages even when
education levels are equivalent.
The federal government does not recognize same-sex
marriage in the United States, but such marriages are
recognized by some individual states. The lack of federal
recognition was codified in 1996 by the Defense of
Marriage Act, which was enacted before Massachusetts
became the first state to grant marriage licenses to samesex couples in 2004. Such licenses are granted by six
states: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. and
Oregon's Coquille and Washington state's Suquamish
Indian tribes. Same-sex marriages could be legally
performed in California between June 16, 2008, and
November 4, 2008, when voters passed Proposition 8
prohibiting same-sex marriages. Maryland recognizes
same-sex marriages but does not grant marriage licenses
to same-sex couples. The legalization of same-sex
marriage has been driven by court rulings and legislative
action, rather than voter referendums.
As of June 2011, 12 states prohibit same-sex marriage via
statute and 29 via the state's constitution.
Sexual Orientation
• Roughly 20 to 25 percent of
Americans identify as either gay
(a homosexual male), or lesbian
(a homosexual female).
• What Percentage of the
Population Is Gay?