Decoding the Media’s Construction of ‘Violent’ Young Women

• In Event: Constructing Crime: Identity, Legitimacy, and Authenticity

Abstract

This research empirically examines media constructions of girls’ violence. Feminist criminologist scholars argue the recent surge in journalistic interest in girls’ violence is not a reflection of realities of girls’ behavior as much an attempt to punish those who do not fit the mold of the stereotypical ‘good girl’ (Chesney-Lind & Irwin, 2008). Further, scholars contend that the media’s demonization of violent girls is specifically racialized (Chesney-Lind & Eliason, 2006) where violent girls of color are masculinized and violent white girls are portrayed as mean girls. However, to date, there has been no empirical research documenting the media’s portrayal of violent girls, or examining whether their portrayal has been racialized and/or evolved over time. The present research fills this gap in the literature through content analyses of US media accounts of girls’ violence from 1970 through 2015. We use of a deductive qualitative approach with an intersectional lens to empirically examine whether the depictions of violent girls by the media have evolved and become distinctly racialized. In doing so, this project sheds light on this recent phenomenon and paves the way for future research on this topic.

Authors

• Kelsey Collins, University of South Carolina

• Tia Stevens Anderson, University of South Carolina

• Deena Isom, University of South Carolina