Deck 12: Gender Bias in Political News

Question 1

Choose one female political candidate from a recent election, and write an essay exploring the impact of the "gendered double-bind" on her campaign and coverage of her campaign.

Answer 1

One female political candidate from a recent election who faced the impact of the "gendered double-bind" on her campaign and coverage is Hillary Clinton during the 2016 United States presidential election.

The "gendered double-bind" refers to the societal expectation that women in politics must navigate a narrow path between being perceived as too feminine and therefore unfit for leadership, or too masculine and therefore unlikable. This double-bind was evident in the way Clinton's campaign was covered by the media and perceived by the public.

Throughout her campaign, Clinton faced criticism for being too ambitious and power-hungry, traits that are often seen as negative when exhibited by women. On the other hand, she also faced scrutiny for not being warm and personable enough, with her demeanor being labeled as too cold and calculating. This highlights the double-bind that female political candidates often face, where they are expected to be assertive and confident, but not too much so as to be seen as threatening or unlikable.

The media coverage of Clinton's campaign also reflected the impact of the gendered double-bind. She was often subjected to sexist remarks and scrutiny of her appearance, with a focus on her clothing choices and hairstyle, rather than her policies and qualifications. This type of coverage not only undermined her credibility as a candidate but also reinforced harmful gender stereotypes.

Additionally, Clinton's opponent in the election, Donald Trump, frequently used gendered attacks against her, calling her "nasty" and "unlikable," playing into the stereotype of the "angry woman" when she spoke out against him. This further perpetuated the gendered double-bind, as Clinton was forced to navigate these attacks while also trying to maintain a positive public image.

In conclusion, the impact of the gendered double-bind on Hillary Clinton's campaign was significant. She faced unfair scrutiny and criticism based on her gender, and the media coverage of her campaign often reinforced harmful stereotypes. Despite these challenges, Clinton's campaign and the coverage of it shed light on the pervasive gender biases that female political candidates continue to face. It is important to recognize and address these biases in order to create a more equitable and inclusive political landscape.

Question 2

Write an essay in which you take a position, pro or con, on the position that there is less gender bias in the mainstream news today compared to previous decades. Support your position with evidence.

Answer 2

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and push for gender equality in all aspects of society, including the media. Many argue that there is less gender bias in the mainstream news today compared to previous decades, while others believe that bias still exists. In this essay, I will take the position that there is still significant gender bias in the mainstream news today, and I will support my position with evidence.

Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that there have been improvements in the representation of women in the media. There are more women in prominent positions in newsrooms, and there is a greater effort to include diverse perspectives in news coverage. However, despite these advancements, gender bias still persists in the mainstream news. Studies have shown that women are underrepresented in news coverage, and when they are included, they are often portrayed in stereotypical roles such as victims or caregivers. This perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes and reinforces the idea that women are less capable or important than men.

Furthermore, the language and framing of news stories often reflect gender bias. Women are more likely to be described in terms of their appearance or personal life, while men are more likely to be discussed in terms of their accomplishments and professional roles. This type of language reinforces the idea that a woman's worth is tied to her physical appearance and personal relationships, rather than her skills and achievements.

Additionally, the news media often perpetuates gender bias through the topics and issues that are covered. Women's issues are often marginalized or trivialized, while men's issues are given more attention and importance. This unequal representation reinforces the idea that men's experiences and perspectives are more significant than women's.

In conclusion, while there have been some improvements in the representation of women in the mainstream news, there is still significant gender bias that persists. Women are underrepresented, portrayed in stereotypical roles, and marginalized in news coverage. The language and framing of news stories also reflect gender bias, and women's issues are often given less attention and importance. It is clear that there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality in the media.

Question 3

The public perception that women candidates cannot win elections despite their competence due to American attitudes towards women is known as:

A) The likability trap
B) The electability trap
C) The gendered-double bind
D) The gender card
E) The gender filter

Answer 3

The electability trap

Question 4

The notion that conventional femininity includes the expectation that women be kind and warm, while conventional views of political leadership requires assertiveness and power-seeking behavior that is counter to conventional femininity is known as:

A) The likability trap
B) The electability trap
C) The gendered-double bind
D) The gender card
E) The gender filter

Question 5

The sexist notion that women cannot be both professionally competent and feminine is known as:

A) The likability trap
B) The electability trap
C) The gendered-double bind
D) The gender card
E) The gender filter