The “new” Brazilians women in Portuguese media: when social class intersects with gender and race

• In Event: Brazilian emigration: what we know and what is new about it -2

Abstract

Brazilian immigration to Portugal became visible during the 1980s. It was not until the late 1990s, however, that its growth was more prominent. Academics and specialists in migration identified important differences between these two moments, the strong presence of women in the latter period was one of the main characteristics acknowledge. In the beginning of the last century, Brazilian women turned out to be the largest group among female migrants in Portugal and became quantitatively more representative than Brazilian men. Furthermore, these migrants had an intense labour market insertion, mainly in low qualified jobs – cleaners, maids – activities related to aesthetics – manicurists, waxing – or entertainment/leisure – waitress, sales, dancers. Due to the intersection of markers of difference – race, gender, social class – and coloniality, the media’s dominant discourse pictured Brazilian women as exotic, hypersexualized and a sexually available body. Following a few years of decrease in numbers/rate, in 2016, Brazilian immigration started growing again, this time, presenting a new feature: A high number of investors and entrepreneurs. Once more, the media is covering the phenomenon but this time its discourse is more positive towards women. This paper investigates how the new profile of Brazilian women leads to a change of perception in the discourse of the Portuguese media, highlighting the importance of social class in this process. Using discourse critical analysis theory, it compares and analyses Portuguese newspapers’ articles from the 2000 to 2018 to identify which power relations and interests operate in these dynamics.

Author

• Thais França Silva, Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL) , CIES-IUL