Date of Award

4-8-2013

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Advisor: Dr. Bob Steele

Second Advisor

Convener: Dr. Kevin Moore

Third Advisor

Reader: Dr. Rebecca Upton

Abstract

1992 was a banner year for women in politics, even earning the moniker “Year of the Woman,” thanks to the election of four women to the United States Senate at one time, an unprecedented feat in the realm of female political representation (‘Year of the Woman’). Twenty years later, in November 2012, that record was shattered, when more women ran for, and were elected to Congress than ever before. “Not since the so‐called Year of the Woman in 1992 have we seen such a leap in the number of women stepping forward to contend for Congressional seats, “ said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, in a press release. “Many of the same factors are in play—the crucial first election after reapportionment and redistricting, news events underscoring the need for women’s voices in policymaking, and a presidential election year generating political excitement” (Center). According to that same press release, 18 women were on the ballot for the United States Senate, up from the previous record of 14 set in 2010. 2004 saw 141 women run for House of Representatives, but there were 166 female candidates in 2012. Emerging from this new electoral scene was the 113th United States Congress—with the most female legislators ever. 20 female Senators and 81 Representatives now grace the halls of Capitol Hill (Women in Elective Office 2013). But is it enough? It’s undeniable that gains have been made, but this legislative body and governments across the nation, from statewide to local political entities, hardly reflects the electorate that placed these policymakers in office. With an average of 21.9% of elected officials being women, serving and representing a population that is 51% female, the United States has not yet reached gender parity in government, and is far from it. The U.S. currently ranks 77th in the world with regards to percentage of female members of Parliament (Women in Parliaments). This is a hindrance to equality, a barrier to democracy, and presents challenges to public policy nationwide. Despite the advances made in this most recent election, the underrepresentation of women in the American political arena has a multitude of factors that contribute to this inequity. One of these factors is the effect of the media in shaping public opinion. The media plays a significant role in perpetuating a gendered view of politics. For example, a segment of 60 Minutes discussing abuses of political profit featured three male members of Congress in business suits, with the sole female, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, shown in a ball gown (Larris 4). This is just one example of ways in which the mainstream news media portrays male and female political figures differently, and is representative of the challenges women face in today’s electoral environment of harsher media critiques and nuanced stereotyping. This thesis examines this inequity through the lens of analysis of various examples of gendered political coverage, and through the reflection of a number of journalists who have thought about these issues, many of which they’ve faced in their own careers. What does the political media landscape look like in terms of gender, and why does it matter? What responsibility do journalists and politicians play in creating a level playing field, and how can we shape journalism and politics to adhere to their best practices? 2012 may have shown us that politics is no longer just a man’s world, but how can we continue to make it an arena in which all of us can participate?

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