How does redistricting target women?
How does media coverage affect the lack of women in politics
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/election2012/the-cracked-pipeline-how-redistricting-targeted-women-lawmakers-in-statehouses-around-the-country
http://www.google.com/#q=media+coverage+affect+the+lack+of+women+in+politics&*
I have no idea how redistricting affects women in particular. What do YOU think? And how does media "cover" women in politics? How that might have an effect is a subject for discussion. Read lots, and you can start here to supplement what your text materials have to say on women in politics:
http://www.bing.com/search?q=does+gerrymandering+affect+women+voters%3F&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=54ccddded5a34b8f980ba247bab013b2&pq=does+gerrymandering+affect+women+voters%3F&cc=US&setlang=en-US
http://www.bing.com/search?q=media+coverage+of+women+in+politics&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=9989837b36cd4f7ca9358813afa3cf36&pq=media+coverage+of+women+in+politics&cc=US&setlang=en-US
Ms. Sue's link to the "talkingpointsmemo" article is a good one for you.
To understand how redistricting may target women, we need to first break down what redistricting is. Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to ensure equal representation in legislatures. This is typically done after a census to account for changes in population distribution.
Now, redistricting itself does not directly target women, but it can have unintended consequences that disproportionately affect them. Here are a few ways redistricting can impact women:
1. Dilution of women's voting power: Redistricting efforts sometimes result in gerrymandering, which is the manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. If gerrymandering is utilized to dilute women's voting power by splitting up communities where women have significant political influence, it can indirectly marginalize their voices.
2. Disruption of women's networks: Redistricting can also disrupt established networks and coalitions built by women politicians. If redistricting breaks up communities or districts where women have a strong support base, it can fragment these networks, making it harder for women to successfully run for office or build influence.
3. Reduction of women-friendly districts: Women may be more likely to run and succeed in districts where they enjoy substantial support or where there's a history of electing women representatives. If redistricting alters district boundaries in a way that diminishes the number of such women-friendly districts, it can negatively impact women's political representation.
Regarding media coverage, it plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions, which can impact the underrepresentation of women in politics. Here's how media coverage can affect the lack of women in politics:
1. Stereotyping and bias: Media often portrays women in politics differently from their male counterparts, using stereotypes that reinforce gender biases. They may focus more on personal appearance, family life, or perceived emotional states, rather than on policy positions or qualifications. Such biases can dissuade women from running for office or discourage voters from taking them seriously.
2. Lack of visibility: Women in politics often receive less media attention compared to men, which translates to lower visibility and name recognition among the electorate. This can hinder their ability to gain support and resources needed for successful campaigns.
3. Double standards: Media coverage can hold women to different standards than men, critiquing their demeanor, style, and behavior more harshly. This can create an environment where women face additional scrutiny and are less likely to be seen as competent or qualified candidates.
To address these issues, it's important to promote fair and unbiased redistricting processes that consider the impact on women and other marginalized communities. Additionally, media organizations should strive for balanced and equitable coverage, challenging gender biases and offering more visibility to women in politics.