Decoding media images of political leaders: The perspective of young adults on the relation of gender and power

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Decoding media images of political leaders: The perspective of young adults on the relation of gender and power. / Müller, Kathrin.
In: Interactions - Studies in Communication & Culture, Vol. 2, No. 3, 23.07.2012, p. 261-277.

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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@article{e058491e3cd843dea99935a4e01e4a0f,
title = "Decoding media images of political leaders: The perspective of young adults on the relation of gender and power",
abstract = "How are media representations of male and female political leaders appropriated by young adults? Do young people negotiate questions of occupational success during media use? The article gives answers to these questions by referring to a qualitative audience study that analyses the negotiation of femininity and power as well as the (de-)construction of gender. It is based on focus groups with 17-19-year-old male and female students with different educational backgrounds. The findings show that the young adults do not reproduce traditional concepts of femininity: Male and female political leaders are described as powerful persons. Nevertheless, gender is articulated and therefore reconstructed in appropriation. Not female politicians but managers are seen as examples of reaching leading positions. Altogether, media images of female leaders are decoded as proof of potential success of women and therefore are meaningful for society.",
keywords = "Gender and Diversity, audience research studies, focus groups, gender, professional success, top-level politicians, Media and communication studies",
author = "Kathrin M{\"u}ller",
year = "2012",
month = jul,
day = "23",
doi = "10.1386/iscc.2.3.261_1",
language = "English",
volume = "2",
pages = "261--277",
journal = "Interactions - Studies in Communication & Culture",
issn = "1757-2681",
publisher = "Intellect Ltd",
number = "3",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Decoding media images of political leaders

T2 - The perspective of young adults on the relation of gender and power

AU - Müller, Kathrin

PY - 2012/7/23

Y1 - 2012/7/23

N2 - How are media representations of male and female political leaders appropriated by young adults? Do young people negotiate questions of occupational success during media use? The article gives answers to these questions by referring to a qualitative audience study that analyses the negotiation of femininity and power as well as the (de-)construction of gender. It is based on focus groups with 17-19-year-old male and female students with different educational backgrounds. The findings show that the young adults do not reproduce traditional concepts of femininity: Male and female political leaders are described as powerful persons. Nevertheless, gender is articulated and therefore reconstructed in appropriation. Not female politicians but managers are seen as examples of reaching leading positions. Altogether, media images of female leaders are decoded as proof of potential success of women and therefore are meaningful for society.

AB - How are media representations of male and female political leaders appropriated by young adults? Do young people negotiate questions of occupational success during media use? The article gives answers to these questions by referring to a qualitative audience study that analyses the negotiation of femininity and power as well as the (de-)construction of gender. It is based on focus groups with 17-19-year-old male and female students with different educational backgrounds. The findings show that the young adults do not reproduce traditional concepts of femininity: Male and female political leaders are described as powerful persons. Nevertheless, gender is articulated and therefore reconstructed in appropriation. Not female politicians but managers are seen as examples of reaching leading positions. Altogether, media images of female leaders are decoded as proof of potential success of women and therefore are meaningful for society.

KW - Gender and Diversity

KW - audience research studies

KW - focus groups

KW - gender

KW - professional success

KW - top-level politicians

KW - Media and communication studies

UR - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/iscc/2012/00000002/00000003/art00007?crawler=true

U2 - 10.1386/iscc.2.3.261_1

DO - 10.1386/iscc.2.3.261_1

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 2

SP - 261

EP - 277

JO - Interactions - Studies in Communication & Culture

JF - Interactions - Studies in Communication & Culture

SN - 1757-2681

IS - 3

ER -

DOI