👧🏻Women and Politics Unit 9 – Media & Gender Stereotypes in Politics

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Gender stereotypes oversimplified and generalized beliefs about the characteristics, attributes, and roles of individuals based on their gender
• Media bias tendency for media outlets to present information in a way that favors one perspective over another, often influenced by political, social, or economic factors
• Representation the way in which individuals or groups are portrayed or depicted in media, which can shape public perception and understanding
• Framing the way in which media outlets present and contextualize information, often emphasizing certain aspects while downplaying others
  • Can influence how the public interprets and responds to political issues and candidates
• Double standards a set of principles or expectations that are applied differently to individuals based on their gender, often holding women to higher or more restrictive standards than men
• Intersectionality the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, which can create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage
  • Recognizes that women in politics may face unique challenges based on the intersection of their gender with other aspects of their identity

Historical Context of Gender in Media

• Early media representation of women in politics was limited and often focused on their appearance, marital status, or domestic roles rather than their qualifications or policy positions
• Women's suffrage movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to increased visibility of women in politics, but media coverage remained biased and dismissive
• Second-wave feminism in the 1960s and 1970s brought greater attention to issues of gender equality and representation, but progress in media portrayal of women in politics was slow
• First woman elected to the U.S. Congress (Jeannette Rankin) in 1916, but it took several decades for women to gain significant representation in national politics
• Women's political participation has increased over time, but media coverage continues to be influenced by gender stereotypes and biases
  • Women candidates often receive less coverage than their male counterparts and are more likely to be described in terms of their appearance, personality, or family life
• Rise of digital media and social media has created new opportunities for women in politics to control their own narratives and engage directly with voters, but has also amplified existing gender biases and stereotypes

Media Representation of Women in Politics

• Women politicians are often portrayed as novelties or exceptions rather than as serious contenders for political office
• Media coverage of women candidates tends to focus more on their appearance, fashion choices, and personal lives than on their qualifications, experience, or policy positions
  • This can trivialize women's political contributions and reinforce gender stereotypes
• Women politicians are frequently described using gendered language and stereotypes, such as being called "ambitious," "emotional," or "bossy," while men are more likely to be described as "assertive," "decisive," or "strong"
• Media may question women's leadership abilities, electability, or competence in traditionally male-dominated fields such as foreign policy or national security
• Women of color in politics face additional biases and stereotypes based on the intersection of their gender and race
  • They may be portrayed as "angry" or "aggressive" and have their qualifications or citizenship questioned
• Lack of diversity in media ownership and leadership can contribute to biased coverage of women in politics
  • Women and people of color are underrepresented in media executive roles, which can limit diverse perspectives and reinforce dominant narratives

Common Stereotypes and Tropes

• "Iron Lady" trope portrays women politicians as tough, uncompromising, and sometimes ruthless, often as a way to compensate for perceived weaknesses associated with their gender (Margaret Thatcher)
• "Motherhood" stereotype assumes that women's primary role is as caregivers and that their political priorities should focus on issues related to children and families
  • Can be used to question women's dedication to their political careers or to pigeonhole them into certain policy areas
• "Emotional" stereotype suggests that women are more prone to making decisions based on emotions rather than logic or reason, which can undermine their credibility as leaders
• "Ambitious" label is often used negatively to describe women who seek political power, implying that they are selfish or untrustworthy
  • Men's political ambition is more likely to be seen as admirable or expected
• "Likability" double standard holds women politicians to a higher standard of being both competent and likable, while men are often judged solely on their qualifications or experience
• "Appearance" focus in media coverage of women politicians can detract from substantive discussions of their policies or record
  • Women's clothing, hairstyles, and physical features are often scrutinized and commented upon in a way that men's appearances are not

Impact on Political Campaigns and Voter Perception

• Gender stereotypes in media can influence voter perceptions of women candidates and their viability as political leaders
  • Voters may internalize biased media narratives and make decisions based on gendered assumptions rather than qualifications or policy positions
• Women candidates may face additional challenges in fundraising and securing party support due to perceptions of their electability or competitiveness
• Negative media coverage can damage women candidates' approval ratings and make it more difficult for them to gain traction with voters
  • Studies have shown that women candidates need to be perceived as both competent and likable to succeed, while men are often judged solely on competence
• Stereotypes about women's leadership abilities can make it harder for them to establish credibility on issues such as national security, foreign policy, or the economy
• Biased media coverage can also discourage women from running for office or seeking higher levels of political leadership
  • Women may feel that they will be held to impossible standards or face undue scrutiny based on their gender
• Lack of diverse representation in media can make it harder for women, particularly women of color, to see themselves as viable political leaders
  • This can create a cycle where fewer women run for office, leading to fewer role models and less diverse representation over time

Case Studies and Notable Examples

• Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign faced significant gender-based media bias and double standards
  • Clinton was often portrayed as "unlikable" or "untrustworthy," while her male opponent's flaws were minimized or excused
  • Media focused on Clinton's email scandal and appearance rather than her qualifications or policy positions
• Sarah Palin's 2008 vice presidential campaign was marked by sexist media coverage and stereotypes
  • Palin was frequently described as a "beauty queen" or "hockey mom," and her qualifications were questioned based on her gender and appearance
  • Media also focused on Palin's family life and personal drama rather than her political record or positions
• Kamala Harris's 2020 vice presidential campaign and subsequent tenure as VP have faced a combination of gender and racial stereotypes in media coverage
  • Harris has been described as "ambitious" and "untrustworthy," and her leadership style has been criticized using racialized and gendered tropes
  • Media has also focused on Harris's appearance and personal life in a way that is not applied to her male colleagues
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has faced significant media backlash and stereotyping as a young, progressive woman of color in politics
  • Ocasio-Cortez has been described as "radical" or "extreme," and her intelligence and qualifications have been questioned based on her age and gender
  • Media has also focused on her appearance and personal life, including her clothing choices and living situation
• Nancy Pelosi's leadership as Speaker of the House has been subject to gendered media coverage and stereotypes
  • Pelosi has been described as "shrill" or "emotional," and her leadership style has been criticized as overly aggressive or confrontational
  • Media has also focused on Pelosi's appearance and age in a way that is not applied to her male colleagues

Strategies for Challenging Media Bias

• Increasing diversity in media ownership, leadership, and journalism can help to combat gender bias and bring new perspectives to political coverage
  • Women and people of color should be recruited and promoted to decision-making roles in media organizations
• Media literacy education can help the public to identify and challenge gender stereotypes and biases in political coverage
  • Consumers should be encouraged to seek out diverse sources of information and to critically analyze media narratives
• Women candidates and politicians can use social media and alternative media platforms to control their own narratives and communicate directly with voters
  • This can help to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and challenge biased coverage
• Calling out and condemning sexist media coverage and holding media organizations accountable for biased reporting
  • This can include public statements, boycotts, or pressure campaigns to demand more equitable and accurate coverage
• Encouraging and supporting more women to run for office and seek political leadership roles
  • This can help to normalize women's political participation and challenge stereotypes about women's electability or competence
• Advocating for policies and initiatives that promote gender equity in politics and society more broadly
  • This can include measures such as paid family leave, affordable childcare, and equal pay, which can help to level the playing field for women in politics and beyond

Current Trends and Future Outlook

• Women's political representation has increased in recent years, but progress remains slow and uneven
  • Women currently make up only about 27% of the U.S. Congress and 31% of state legislative seats
  • Women of color are particularly underrepresented in political leadership roles
• Gender-based media bias and stereotyping continue to be a significant challenge for women in politics
  • Studies show that media coverage of women candidates and politicians remains biased and often focuses on appearance, personal life, or gendered stereotypes
• Rise of social media and alternative media platforms has created new opportunities for women in politics to challenge biased narratives and connect with voters
  • However, these platforms can also amplify existing biases and stereotypes and subject women to online harassment and abuse
• Increasing public awareness and activism around issues of gender equity and representation in politics and media
  • Movements such as #MeToo and Time's Up have drawn attention to issues of sexual harassment and discrimination in politics and other fields
• Ongoing efforts to recruit, train, and support more women candidates and political leaders
  • Organizations such as Emily's List, She Should Run, and the Women's Campaign Fund provide resources and networks for women seeking political office
• Continued need for systemic and cultural change to fully address gender-based media bias and stereotyping in politics
  • This will require sustained efforts to increase diversity and equity in media and politics, challenge entrenched biases and power structures, and create a more inclusive and representative political system