The responses of 1,404 women and 386 men to a probability sample survey of political attitudes and participation in Northern Ireland are reported. A broad definition of political activity is employed that includes personal assertiveness in personal relationships. The results reveal women by and large to be less involved politically and more passive than men. For women, the arena for political discussion is centered among family relationships; while for men most political discussions take place with friends or workmates. The responses of women and men, however, resemble each other more than they diverge in that the majorities of both sexes see themselves as apathetic and ineffectual in terms of personal assertiveness in political discussions. Multivariate regression analyses disclose the relatively minor significance of gender in comparison to other factors in determining one's personal political efficacy The variety of types of activity, and age, are clearly of more significance than gender in determining the level of political discussion, persuasiveness or influence within marriage. The results provide a cautionary tale about the perils of adopting an ”over-gendered” conception of political behavior.
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