Gender, Political Leadership, and Emotions in the Mediated Discourse of Chile’s First Female President

• In Event: Gender Discourses in Professional Practices

Abstract

The role of a political leader often is associated with the emotional attributes of a man. This discourse analysis examines the media constructions of the emotionality of Chile’s Michelle Bachelet during her first (and successful) presidential campaign. Bachelet was deemed as a soft, empathic and ultimately “feminine” candidate who nonetheless needed to toughen up to convey authority and convince voters that she had the skills, in addition to the charm, to lead a country. The media thus favored determined understandings regarding women, politics and emotions.

Author

• Ingrid Bachmann, Pontificia U Católica de Chile