Oral Presentations
Location
Room 214, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Open Access
Entry Number
39
Start Date
4-10-2019 3:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2019 3:15 PM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Communication Studies
Abstract
Abstract
The legal drama television series Blue Bloods, The Practice, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Good Wife, How to Get Away with Murder, and Ally McBealfollow the various roles of a female attorney. For this study, these six television series were analyzed in order to identify the media’s perception of female attorneys. By completing a critical analysis of the aforementioned series, a multitude of perceptions based on gender was identified. Five themes occurred from those perceptions: physical attributes, relationships, work environment, litigation tactics, and personality traits. While some of these perceptions were positive, the media failed to overcome gender stereotypes when establishing characteristics of female attorneys.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen-Earp
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Included in
Broadcast and Video Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
Working in a Man’s World — What, Like It’s Hard?: The Perception of Female Attorneys in the Media
Room 214, Schewel Hall
Abstract
The legal drama television series Blue Bloods, The Practice, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Good Wife, How to Get Away with Murder, and Ally McBealfollow the various roles of a female attorney. For this study, these six television series were analyzed in order to identify the media’s perception of female attorneys. By completing a critical analysis of the aforementioned series, a multitude of perceptions based on gender was identified. Five themes occurred from those perceptions: physical attributes, relationships, work environment, litigation tactics, and personality traits. While some of these perceptions were positive, the media failed to overcome gender stereotypes when establishing characteristics of female attorneys.