https://www.theodysseyonline.com/eleven-times-when-leslie-knope-hillary-clinton-were-same-person
In an age of persistent gender disparity in public office and the political professions, it’s time to turn to entertainment media to produce role models that counter the negative stereotypes that traditional media outlets project onto political women.
Researchers have found that, unlike STEM and business careers, the political professions have stagnated in its progress toward gender equity. This puzzling trend is often attributed to women’s lack of knowledge, interest, or confidence in achieving a career in politics or success in running for office. There is no doubt that this so-called “political ambition gap” is influenced by the media girls and young women consume.
Scholars have pointed to the news media as a major factor in how young women come to see themselves and their potential places in the world. The news media also provide political role models for girls and young women. An analysis of the 2008 election coverage of both Hillary Clinton (a Democratic presidential candidate) and Sarah Palin (the Republican Vice Presidential nominee) showed that news coverage of both women stereotyped the candidates while distracting from their actual ideas and proposed policies. This treatment is nothing new--scholars have traced these patterns of sexist coverage of political women to as early as 1884.
So, what is there to do when faced with the glacial news media establishment, its habit of dehumanizing female candidates, and the effects of these negative portrayals on young women seeking role models to inform them of their place in the world? Some might just give up and flip the channel--and they’d be on the right track.
Recently, researchers have shown how powerful fictional media can be in priming audiences to accept high-powered women in real life political roles. If the fictional political women are portrayed as competent and likeable (or at least respectable and sympathetic characters), audience members are more likely to react positively to women who take up political roles in reality.
Coincidentally, these characteristics make for positive role models for young women. For a role model to effectively inspire a viewer, they must occupy a central or highly visible role in their program, not conform to archetypal female roles like the iron maiden or the sex kitten, and demonstrate values and goals that the viewer can personally identify with.
As we’ve seen in characters like Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation), Olivia Pope (Scandal), and even CJ Cregg (The West Wing), there are as many ways to fulfill these role model characteristics as there are women in the world. The important thing is that young girls have someone to look up to who is successful in her own sphere, even if that sphere is a fictionalized Pawnee or Washington, D.C.
It’s high time we revisit the depth and breadth of how political women are represented, both in the news and on our favorite prime-time shows. Where the news media are prone to the very real pitfalls of sexist coverage, entertainment media should take up the banner of presenting positive role models for women who might help close the political ambition gap.
TV writers should fight to put more women in the political spotlight. But for now, regardless of whether a young woman tunes in to watch Scandal or chooses Parks and Recreation and West Wing re-runs she’s sure to be inspired by the political ambition of the high-powered women running their shows.
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ReplyDeleteI really appreciated how well your article flowed and maintained a balance of formality and journalism. I also appreciated that you linked your digital sources right in the article! That makes it a lot easier for the viewer to understand and give value to your claims. My only complaint is the layout of your post. I know Blogger is a new site for all of us, but when typing, I would suggest using the preview setting before publishing! That way your article will be all on one main page without having to slide left and right.
ReplyDeleteI think that your topic is incredibly relevant and gives the reader a well-researched understanding for why there is a “political ambition gap”. As a fan of Scandal, I can see why Olivia would be a role model to any young woman. I do wonder if there is any research regarding the position in which women are running for and if there is any change in media perception. Perhaps the media is ok with multiple women of all backgrounds running for and winning seats in the senate and house but not the oval office?
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is very effective in how it addresses the gap in politics. It was interesting to see how you condensed your presentation and paper into a post that incorporates all of the important topics you talked about. When talking about heroes, I thought it was interesting how people want their heroes to be portrayed as likeable, but it also creates a double standard that women in power have to be aggressive, but not too aggressive?
ReplyDeleteI loved how this was formatted in more of a formal way. The statistics and facts you had to back up your argument made you credible and backed up your arguments well. Like Lily said, I thought it was interesting how many women who are in power or strive to gain power have a slight stereotype of having to have some kind of aggression, but not an extreme amount.
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