How Does Rape Coverage Correspond to Increasing Gender Equality?: A Test of Feminist and Gender Threat Hypotheses

• In Event: Rape, Social Inequalities, and Media Coverage

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine trends in rape and sexual assault media coverage relative to broad social, economic, and political changes of the last sixty years. Specifically, the study tests competing hypotheses related to feminist and gender threat theories to explore the extent to which rape and sexual assault coverage corresponds to increasing gender equality over time. To test these hypotheses, we use data from a content analysis of newspaper articles published between 1950 and 2010 in The New York Times that report on sexual assault and rape cases. The results will reveal whether rape and sexual assault coverage has become more empathic over time or posed a “backlash” to increasing gender equality.

Authors

• Mayra Picon, Florida State University

• Ashley Rubin, University of Toronto

• Jennifer M. Brown, Florida State University

• Ted Chiricos, Florida State University