Women in America have made significant gains toward gender parity, more so than women in many other countries. But when it comes to this presidential election, there's a large gender gap.

A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll shows former President Donald Trump leading among men 53% to 37%. Vice President Kamala Harris' lead with women is 53% to 36%.

The gender gap in this election matters beyond politics and portends significant problems for the nation.

Commentators like to observe that, unlike former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Harris hasn't leaned into the fact that if she wins, she will make history as the first woman and the first Black Asian American to serve as president.

However, Harris' campaign has emphasized issues like abortion that appeal primarily to women voters. It's one reason why she is doing especially well with young women. In three New York Times/Siena College polls conducted this year, Harris led among young women by 39 percentage points (67% to 28%). Trump was up 21 points with young men (58% to 37%).

Harris continues to specifically target women while trying to shore up her weaknesses with men.

Opinion:Harris panders to Black male voters in yet another sign of her desperation

In contrast, Trump, who brought out men to vote in droves in 2016, has a strong lead among male voters overall and is doing remarkably well with Gen Z men.

"Between Harris’ push on abortion and Trump’s growth with male voters −........

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