Gloria Steinem apologizes for saying women only support Bernie Sanders to meet 'boys'

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Steinem, 81, said young women were backing the Democrat to meet men
Claimed young female voters supported him as the 'boys are with Bernie'
The feminist leader faced fierce criticism online for 'patronizing' comments
Steinem has since apologized and said women are more activist than ever

Published: 09:33 EDT, 8 February 2016 | Updated: 11:55 EDT, 8 February 2016

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Gloria Steinem has apologized after she suggested that young women only support Bernie Sanders to meet men.

The Hillary Clinton supporter and feminist icon had told Real Time host Bill Maher that Sanders was popular with young female voters because 'the boys are with Bernie.'

The surprising claim came after Maher asked her why she thought her preferred candidate was not doing better with young women.

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Steinem has apologized for implying that young women aren't serious in their politics after her comments during an appearance on Bill Maher's Real Time

Steinem explained that women generally become more radical as they age as they lose power.

'And when you're young, you're thinking, 'Where are the boys?' The boys are with Bernie,' she said.

'Now if I said that - "Yeah, they're for Bernie 'cause that's where the boys are" - you'd swat me,' a shocked Maher had responded.

'No, I wouldn't,' she said.

Steinem, a celebrated leader of the feminist movement and founder of Ms. Magazine, faced a huge backlash online from younger voters who criticized the 81-year-old for being 'sexist' and 'patronizing.'

She subsequently apologized 'for what's been misinterpreted as implying young women aren't serious in their politics.'

In a Facebook post, she admitted she had 'misspoke' on the show 'in a case of talk-show Interruptus'.

Steinem had said that women get more radical with age but when they are young, 'you're thinking, 'Where are the boys?' The boys are with Bernie'

The Hillary Clinton supporter had told Real Time host Bill Maher that Sanders was more popular with young female voters because 'the boys are with Bernie'

She said: 'Whether they gravitate to Bernie or Hillary, young women are activist and feminist in greater numbers than ever before.'

Steinem expressed her support for Clinton's campaign back in October.

But it seems many younger voters are being swayed by the Sanders campaign.

The Vermont senator, leads the former Secretary of State by 20 points among likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire.

For voters aged between 18 and 29, he has a commanding lead of 76 per cent compared to Clinton's 24.

He also leads her among independents, with 69 per cent compared to 26 per cent, and with men, 70 per cent to 25.

Sanders even appears to have edged forward in the overall female vote, with 50 per cent compared to Clinton's 46, according to the NBC/WSJ/Marist poll conducted on February 2-3.

Clinton is still the most popular candidate with older voters where she maintains a lead of 51 per cent compared to Sanders' 44 for people aged 60 or over, CBS reports.