Commission on the Status of Women
Feminism in unlikely places: Northern Nigeria and the #ArewaMeToo Movement • Olushola Aromona, University of Kansas; Fatemeh Shayesteh, University of Kansas • This study examined how Muslim women in Northern Nigeria leveraged social media to advocate women’s issues through the #ArewaMeToo hashtag on twitter. Thematic analysis of prominent feminist themes demonstrated the multiple and intersectional structural barriers that women experience in conservative cultures. The implications of this research are discussed in the context of hashtag activism for advocating for women’s rights and the role of social media in amplifying the feminist works of women in marginalized communities.
#bossbabe: Women’s Use of Social Media in Multilevel Marketing of Body and Health Products • Lauren Britton, Ithaca Collete; Louise Barkhuus, IT University of Copenhagen • Multi-level marketing companies, like Beachbody, Arbonne, and Rodan and Fields, have taken advantage of ubiquitous social media to generate business. This paper investigates how women, and mothers in particular, are drawn to MLM businesses and how they use and depend on individual social networks, particularly Instagram and Facebook, to run their businesses. We draw upon a feminist media theoretical framework to understand the social implications of these MLM companies and their use of women and social media. Conducting both a visual content analysis of Instagram MLM hashtags and an interview study, we examine how MLM mothers deploy social media functionality to support and grow their #mompreneur businesses. Our findings reveal that MLM companies, through their consultants, rely on a new version of ‘marketplace feminism’ to sell their products through social media (#bossbabe!) while generating a loyal and devoted fanbase.
* Extended Abstract * The Association of Fraternity Membership, Sports Media & Masculinity Norms with College Men’s Acceptance of Rape Myths • Stacey Hust; Soojung Kang, Washington State University, Pullman; Leticia Couto; Jiayu Li • Summary of the extended abstract: The current study conducted a survey with 320 fraternity members to assess their sports media use, conformity to masculinity norms, and acceptance of rape myth. Results suggested that conformity to masculinity, regular exposure to sports media, norms, control over women and playboy behavior were associated with acceptance of rape myth. Fraternity membership moderated the relationship between masculinity norms and rape myth acceptance.
Lusting after Shawn Mendes manly hands: Analyzing postfeminist themes in popular Dutch Girls Magazines. • Marieke Boschma, Radboud University; Serena Daalmans, Radboud University Nijmegen, behavioural Science Institute • The current study analyzes in what manner postfeminist thought is articulated in popular girl’s magazines. To reach this goal, we conducted a thematic analysis of three magazines. The results revealed that the magazines incorporate feminist, antifeminist and as a result a postfeminist discourse in their content. The magazines function as a source of gender socialization, with a large palette of postfeminist themes which articulate what it means to be a girl in contemporary society.
“Love what you DOULA”: An Analysis of Doulas and Doula Care in the News Media • Zehui Dai, Radford University; Dinah Tetteh, Arkansas State University • This study highlights the relationship between society, discourse about doula professionals and doula care in childbirth, and women’s maternal health care in general. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze discourses about doulas, doula care in childbirth and women in different news media internationally. The result suggests that news media sources promote doula support for women in labor and support doula’s advocacy for women’s complex pregnancy experiences. The authors contend that these discourses help to provide a nuanced understanding of women’s maternal health internationally as well as generate a “women-centered approach” in maternity health care.
“Who’s going to be a creep today?” How Gender Influences Audience Interactions with Top Broadcasters • Stefanie Davis Kempton, Penn State Altoona; Colleen Connolly-Ahern, Penn State University • “Audience interaction has become a key metric for the success of broadcast journalists. Social media allow audiences unprecedented access to top broadcast journalists, while also putting pressure on journalists to engage with audience members in more direct ways. However, as this study suggests, most of these interactions are subjected to the same gendered prejudices that have been instilled in the broadcast news industry for decades.
This study explores the role of gender in audience interaction with top broadcast journalists. A mixed method approach combining qualitative interviews and social media discourse analysis helped to uncover the ways in which male and female broadcast journalists interact with audiences, as well as how they negotiate through those interactions. Findings shed light on the gendered, and sometimes dangerous, ways in which these interactions take place.”
“Sluts and nuts”: Symbolic annihilation of women in the Kavanaugh allegation coverage • Danielle Deavours, University of Alabama • Modern American journalism practices rely heavily on the use of expert sources. Historically, white, male officials have dominated as sources in print, television, and online media (Humprecht & Esser, 2017), which means women are not being given an equal opportunity to influence the news. This can be especially troublesome in news coverage of sexual harassment allegations, where both female and male perspectives need to be heard. Symbolic annihilation theory suggests that media largely ignore women or portray them in stereotypical roles (Gerbner & Gross, 1976). This study seeks to expand the use of symbolic annihilation theory in the context of how females are used as sources in sexual allegation coverage. The study utilizes a content analysis of the national coverage of the Brett Kavanaugh sexual assault allegations in print, online, and television outlets. The study finds that journalists used male sources more often than female sources, and that male journalists were more likely to use male sources than female journalists. In addition, the study found that male sources were more likely to support Kavanaugh, less likely to support the accusers, and less likely to mention other victims of sexual assault or the #MeToo movement. These findings suggest symbolic annihilation is present in the coverage of this case, concerning considering the gendered issue of sexual assault allegations against an accused male in a position of power.
* Extended Abstract * “An utter disregard for best practices in supporting survivors:” Social media and ethics policies in the #MeToo era • Bailey Dick, Ohio University • In light of the January 2020 suspension of Washington Post reporter Felicia Sonmez for supposedly violating the paper’s social media policy in her tweeting about sexual assault as a sexual assault survivor herself, this study examines existing social media and ethics policies that in leading American newsrooms. Specifically, this paper examines those codes and policies in light of the #MeToo movement and the existence of policies that pertain to journalists sharing their own experiences with gender-based violence.
She’s a lady; he’s an athlete; they have overcome: Portrayals of gender and disability in the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games • Tracy Everbach, University of North Texas; Karen Weiller-Abels; Andrew Colombo-Dougovito, University of North Texas • This qualitative content analysis of the National Broadcasting Company’s (NBC’s) coverage of 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games sought to examine how the broadcasters framed gender and disability. The researchers employed feminist approaches, intersectionality, and hegemonic masculinity to examine the frames used in Alpine skiing coverage from the Paralympic Games. Results showed that women athletes received less airtime than the men, that women athletes were placed into traditional gender role frames, and that women were portrayed in a sexualized manner. The researchers also found that athletes’ disabilities were framed in a medicalized way, as something they should “overcome,” and that Paralympic athletes with disabilities were portrayed as “less than” able-bodied athletes. The researchers discovered that coverage of the Paralympic Games has not changed in the past decade, continuing to oppress women athletes with disabilities by stereotyping and marginalizing them, and stigmatizing both male and female athletes with disabilities by framing them as aspiring to be able-bodied.
“Remember to Breathe (But Don’t Make a Sound!)” Constructions of Childbirth in Post-Apocalyptic Narratives • Katie Foss, Middle TN State University • The rise of post-apocalyptic narratives has introduced a new lens on mediated birthing experiences. This paper uses a narrative analysis of pregnancy, labor, and birth on The Walking Dead (2010- ) A Quiet Place (2018), and Bird Box (2018). Findings suggest that these texts idealize medicalized birth, distort the birthing process, and reinforce the dichotomy of the “good” and “bad” mother – overall, missing their potential as redefined feminist spaces that present birth as natural.
The Syllabus is a Boys’ Club: Examining the paucity of woman authors in course materials at three U.S. journalism schools • Meg Heckman, Northeastern University; Maya Homan • An analysis of 222 journalism school syllabi used by three U.S. journalism schools during the 2018-2019 academic year revealed that the majority of instructional material was created by men. Of the authors listed on the syllabi in our sample, just 34% could be identified as women, although female instructors were somewhat more likely to assign material created by women. Roughly 20% of the syllabi analyzed listed no female authors at all. We argue that a paucity of woman authors in journalism school instructional materials contributes to the symbolic annihilation of women from the profession and may enforce male hegemony in newsrooms. We also discuss the role of groups like AEJMC’s Commission on the Status of Women and the Journalism and Women Symposium might play in encouraging journalism educators to make their syllabi more inclusive.
Media consumption and rape myth acceptance: A meta-analysis • Ashley Hedrick, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • This meta-analysis studied the relationship between media consumption and rape myth acceptance (RMA). Twenty-nine studies (N=3,307) met inclusion criteria. The overall weighted mean effect size was r=0.086 (p<0.001), indicating a small but statistically significant relationship. Sub-analyses indicated that a few media types, especially violent pornography viewing and general pornography viewing, drove this relationship. Also, age was a significant moderator. Adolescents and young adults reported a stronger relationship between media consumption and RMA than adults.
Sexist Events Make It Hurt More: Objectification, Social Comparison, and Disordered Eating among Female Instagram Users • Roselyn Lee-Won, The Ohio State University; Mackenzie Kibbe; Sung Gwan Park, Seoul National University • Image-centric social media platforms such as Instagram are heightening females’ body image concerns. We aimed to extend the objectification theory framework by elucidating the role of social comparison and sexist discrimination experience. This study, conducted with a national sample of adult female Instagram users, showed that the positive relationship between body surveillance and disordered eating was significantly mediated by social comparison on Instagram and body shame; this serial mediation was moderated by sexist discrimination experience.
You can have it all with medicine: A qualitative analysis of gender in DTC advertisements • Hayley Markovich, University of Florida; Amanda Bradshaw, University of Florida; Debbie Treise, University of Florida; Matthew Cretul • Previous studies and reviews have looked at the differences in gender regarding diabetes disease management. This textual analysis looked at direct-to-consumer diabetes medication commercials to understand how these advertisements may influence, and produce gendered understandings of type 2 diabetes. Analysis of 66 direct-to-consumer advertisements, representing 10 brand name medications, found three gender stereotypes and two overall message strategies. The gendered depictions can potentially affect how women with the condition understand the condition and its treatments.
Miscarriage in the Media: Effects of Media Representation of Miscarriage on Knowledge and Attitudes • Zelly Martin • “This survey of 301 adults in the United States examines the effects of exposure to media about miscarriage on knowledge and attitudes about pregnancy loss. Results indicate that exposure to media about miscarriage had a small but significant association with knowledge about miscarriage. Knowledge about miscarriage had a moderate, significant relationship with positive attitudes about women who miscarry. Increased media exposure about miscarriage could lead to more positive attitudes about women who have miscarried.
“I will slap your face with my penis” Slovak female journalists describe their working environment • Simona Mikušová, Comenius University, Department of Journalism • The largest survey of female journalists working in the Slovak mass media was undertaken in 2020 and asked participants to respond to questions about their working conditions and perceived gender discrimination. This article focuses on their responses in relation to the motherhood dilemma, income gender gap, violence and harassment inside and outside of the newsroom and the impact of a predominantly masculine management. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including an online survey of 150 female journalists and qualitative interviews with 10 female journalists. Most respondents articulated that flirting, sexual jokes, vulgarisms and other forms of sexual harassment are very common in their newsrooms. Surprisingly, few of the respondents reported this kind behavior as inappropriate. Slovak journalists are more concerned about low wages, gender biases that disadvantage mothers and even the absence of an older generation in their newsroom.
Developing new voices: Exploring feminist digital activism in India • Paromita Pain, University of Reno, Nevada • As my analysis of the tweets and interviews with participants and activists of the #MeTooIndia movement in 2018, show, the work of elite activists and the risks they took was critical to the success of the campaign but there was an exclusion of suburban voices and experiences. The onerous and taxing nature of digital labors are an unrecognized feature of women’s activism online, especially in the Indian context, adding more work to women’s already rarely acknowledged and undervalued burdens of labor. Online action here may have been supplemented by offline action, but participants found little support otherwise. Compounding issues, as the interviews reveal, are social media platforms who by nature are sexist and that has negative consequences for online feminist advocacy.
Women in wrestling: The representation of Olympic athletes in traditional media and on personal social media accounts in 2016 • Shannon Scovel, University of Maryland • This study assessed the traditional and social media coverage of U.S. wrestlers during the 2016 Olympic Games. Women’s wrestling articles from the Games aligned with previous research that suggests women are viewed as “other” by traditional press. Reports on Helen Maroulis’ gold medal win also focused on her position as a determined underdog and compared her to successful male wrestlers. Wrestler social media posts on Twitter and Instagram portrayed themes of empowerment and feminism.
Returning to the Digital World: Technology Use and Privacy Management of Women Transitioning from Incarceration • Hyunjin Seo, University of Kansas; Hannah Britton; Megha Ramaswamy; Darcey Altschwager; Matthew Blomberg, University of Kansas; Olushola Aromona, University of Kansas; Bernard Schuster; Ellie Booton; Marilyn Ault; Joi Wickliffe • Through interviews with 59 women transitioning from jails or prisons, our research analyzed barriers facing this population in terms of access to and use of digital communication technologies. We also examined the women’s perspectives on privacy and security online and how their perspectives influence their activities online. Discussions around these topics identified various facets of challenges the women face in returning to a society in which navigating digital information is of great importance. Our findings indicate that precarious situations that most of these women experience affect how they define and operationalize privacy boundaries online. Specifically, precarious housing and financial situations, concerns of ex-partners, mental health challenges, and lack of self-efficacy pose challenges for their digital access and use and influence their online privacy perspectives. Despite increasing rates of women’s imprisonments in the United States and growing importance of digital technologies in almost every aspect of our lives, there is little research examining how this marginalized population accesses and uses digital communication technologies. In this sense, our study fills an important gap in the literature. In addition, findings from this research suggest scholarly and policy implications for those who study or work in the areas of digital inclusion, marginalized women, or reentry education.
The Dragonfly Effect: Analysis of a Social Media Women’s Empowerment Campaign • Aya Shata, University of Miami; Michelle Seelig • This research examines how advocates used social media in advocacy efforts of the “Taa Marbuta” women empowerment campaign in Egypt. In-depth interviews conducted with the National Council for Women, United Nations entities, and SIDA. The campaign was analyzed using the dragonfly effect model as the analysis framework, and found it has clear goals and various techniques for attention and engagement, but ‘call for action’ was absent. Further analysis revealed two emerging themes. Social media transformed the campaign into an icon of women empowerment.
Forming a social-help movement through the efforts of breast cancer survivors in the #WeEightWomen campaign • Fatemeh Shayesteh, University of Kansas • In recent years, eight Iranian breast cancer survivors use the hashtag #WeEightWomen in Farsi to share their cancer-related messages on Instagram. This study aims to explore how #WeEightWomen campaign founders perceive this online social-help groups and examine whether this online social-help group could be considered a social movement. The findings revealed that founders have both positive and negative perceptions of this group. Drawing on Resource Mobilization Theory, this social help group is a social movement.
* Extended Abstract * Who’s Your Daddy? Gender Schema, Hostile Sexism, and Political Orientation as Predictors of Attitude toward “Enlightened Manvertising” • Miglena Sternadori, Texas Tech University; Alan Abitbol, University of Dayton • Results of a survey of U.S. men (n = 285) indicated that participants’ gender schemas, hostile sexism, political orientation, and support for women’s rights influenced their attitude toward “enlightened manvertising,” which refers to campaigns that redefine masculinity by promoting both masculine and feminine traits as a part of manhood. The results suggest a link between men’s views on redefining masculinity and their views on women and women’s roles in society.
* Extended Abstract * Intersectionality and transnational feminism: Breaking boundaries with standpoints of women public relations professionals in United Arab Emirates • Leysan Storie; Katie Place, Quinnipiac University • Feminist scholarship in public relations has illustrated women’s unique experiences and opportunities in the field. However, the majority of feminist research in public relations has remained safely within the Western boundaries, and has been characterized by a simplistic view of women, often considering only gender identity with disregard to other factors. This study applies intersectionality theory to explore the experiences of women PR professionals in the United Arab Emirates through in-depth qualitative interviews.
Angry Gymnastics: Representations of Simone Biles at the 2019 National and World Championships • Carolina Velloso, University of Maryland, College Park • This paper analyzes the representations of Simone Biles in media coverage of two major gymnastics events in 2019. Using the framework of critical feminist and race theories, a textual analysis of 34 articles revealed the pervasive use of gendered and racial codes to describe Biles in competition. The findings reveal a complex, intersectional representation of Biles, and underscore the persistent and systemic presence of these codes in contemporary discourse.
* Extended Abstract * Extended Abstract: Muslim Women: Semantic and Visual Primes, Stereotypes, and Evaluations • Anastasia Vishnevskaya; Heena Khan; Alex Tan • This study tests whether semantic and visual primes can activate stereotypes of Muslim women. We conducted a 4-factor randomized experimental design with adult Americans as participants. Our results show that primes activate two stereotype dimensions – warmth and competence. We also found that competence predicts intent to interview and hire for a university teaching job. Finally, we found that a high intensity prime activated positive evaluation on the competence stereotype dimension but negative evaluations on warmth.
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