Contesting Constitutional Attitudes: Gender, Age and Support for Scottish Independence

The relationship between sex, gender, and voting behaviour has been a key global research focus for over five decades. Much of this work has concentrated on identifying and explaining gender gaps in political participation, political attitudes, and voting behaviour. While much attention has been given to gender differences in voting, the relationship between voting behaviour and institutional and constitutional change has only recently gained focus. Constitutional referendums, in particular, are crucial moments which engage citizens in direct democratic processes, allowing them to make decisions about the political institutions that govern them. Referendums on constitutional change, such as recent UK ones regarding Scottish and Welsh devolution or the UK’s membership in the European Union, present opportunities to explore how mass attitudes shape democratic institutions. This paper focuses on the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014. Independence referendums allow citizens to choose between uncertain futures with far-reaching consequences. Such processes also enable traditionally marginalised groups to assert their claims in reshaping political communities. However, persistent sex gaps in constitutional attitudes, particularly in support of independence, have been observed in various contexts, including Scotland, Catalonia, and Quebec. Across these cases, studies have found that women are, on average, less likely to support independence and more likely to remain undecided compared to men. Using secondary survey data and original focus groups and interviews with voters categorised by gender, age, and national identity, this paper reveals significant variation within gendered subgroups. The intersectional analysis shows that age, economic concerns, and identity shape voting decisions in complex ways. Older women opposing independence are influenced by their rejection of nationalism, while women of all ages supporting independence view it as a path toward greater self-empowerment and societal equality. Younger male voters show more uncertainty regarding the vote but are more willing to take risks associated with independence. Middle-aged male voters are more likely to reference generational care as an influencing factor for their vote. The paper argues that focusing solely on broad gender categories oversimplifies the intricacies of voter behaviour. A more nuanced understanding of gendered voting patterns emerges by examining intersecting factors like age, national identity, and personal experiences. The study emphasises the importance of using qualitative methods to uncover deeper insights into voters' perspectives, complementing quantitative data. It highlights how constitutional change may present opportunities for historically marginalised groups to influence political structures, contributing to discussions on gender equality and political representation. This research offers critical insights into identity, power dynamics and societal structures that shape political attitudes, particularly in the context of referendums and independence movements.