How the Media Frames Pregnant Female Athletes
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Date
2021
Authors
DiMinno, Sammy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to examine how female athletes are framed and covered in the media in regard to both pregnancy and motherhood. The media plays an important role in framing women’s sport and how the media covers female athletes, has an impact on the way the public views them. By conducting a limited case study approach analyzing the news and sports media coverage of four athletes: Serena Williams, Alysia Montaño, Joy Fawcett, and Candace Parker, I aim to answer my research question regarding what the common frames are when referring to pregnant female athletes and if there are differences in how team athletes versus individual athletes are framed. By also considering factors of race, I aim to examine how black female athletes are covered and propose guidelines for how the media can improve how they frame pregnant female athletes. My findings indicated that the media commonly framed the athletes’ pregnancy as a career roadblock which further can lead to a type of comeback story. The media also commonly frames these athletes as trailblazers, as a competitive athlete who will overcome their pregnancy as an obstacle, as a superwoman and by using a reality frame, which included stories about the pregnancy experience. Furthermore, this research contributes to the future of how the media should frame pregnant female athletes. There is still a fight for sex equality in sports and the media should continue to fight for pregnant female athletes and their representation in the media.
Description
1 page.