In the U.S. 2012 elections, record-breaking numbers of women won political positions in the Senate and House of Representatives. This increase in representation, along with the rise of prominent women leaders including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann, seem to indicate greater and greater opportunity for women to seek public office. However, with female representation at only 20.2 percent in Congress, the U.S. still ranks a mediocre No. 77 in the world for representation of women in parliaments. Similarly low proportions apply to governors, state officials, state legislators and mayors. At all levels of government, there is quite a long way to go yet.

The gender gap in political representation is not due to systematic bias against female candidates; when women run for office, regardless of position, they are just as likely as men to win their races. The disparity rather stems from political ambition. Men are more likely to consider running for office, and ultimately do so, while women do not. It is not sufficient to conclude that women simply lack interest in elected positions. Rather, the gender gap in candidates and officials stems from environmental factors that unequally nurture political aspirations for young men and women.

A report published last month by American University examined aspirations for political office among U.S. college students aged 18 to 25. Troublingly, even in the formative university years, men and women already begin to differ in their likelihood of pursuing a political career. These findings have important implications for the continued growth of women’s political participation, as the college students surveyed represent the country’s next generation of leaders. If large proportions of young women never develop an aspiration for political leadership, we miss opportunities to elect potentially talented public servants.

The report’s authors highlight five factors that fuel the gender gap, and three prove especially interesting: parental support for political careers, political engagement and encouragement to run for office later in life. Parents’ support proves to be an important influence on children’s political ambition, and women receive less than men do. Females are additionally less likely than males to engage in political conversation or experience, such as running for student government, visiting political websites and blogs or discussing current events with peers. Finally, men are more likely than women to receive a suggestion of running for office. While 49 percent of men receive encouragement from at least one person, only 35 percent of women hear such advice.

Advocacy for the pursuit of public office is in shorter supply for our young women, and this is a fundamental obstacle toward equal representation in politics. Knowing that such counsel from family, friends, teachers, co-workers, political leaders — anyone, actually — has strong effects on consideration of candidacy, we should commit ourselves to recognize and encourage the capable women leaders in our lives. Institutionally, political parties and activists with a mission to increase female representation should look to recruitment as a powerful tool to pique women’s interest in elected office. The Be Her or Support Her campaign in Canada provides an excellent example of women supporting women.

Political engagement and conversation remains another area for development, one that women’s organizations and schools can have a large role in shaping. The numerous initiatives that have promoted STEM careers to women provide an appealing model. While the gender divide is not as severe in political science and civics fields, coordinated efforts to educate young women in political and current events literacy may help close the gap. The positive externalities of such literacy, if emphasized universally in schools, also go far beyond encouraging women’s participation in politics. Young men and women alike become better informed and better prepared leaders when they cultivate an appreciation and critical eye for news.

The benefits of greater representation of women in government are many. They sponsor more women’s issues and rights legislation, govern by congeniality and cooperation rather than hierarchically, and more frequently incorporate constituents’ concerns in their decisions. Greater gender balance in government, from the local to the national level, equates to more democratic governance and accurate representation of citizens’ interests. Gender gaps in ambition stand as an obstacle to this vision and limit women who can add value to the political landscape. Let us work together to break down the conditions creating this gap, supporting women as they run for office and become more politically engaged. The nation can only stand to gain.