Type:	Journal Article
Title:	The gender neglect and textual abuse of children in the print media
Other Titles:	Child abuse review : journal of the British Association for the Study and [cut]
Authors:	Goddard, Chris Saunders, Bernadette J
Keywords:	Community attitudes;Child protection
Year:	2000
Publisher:	John Wiley & Sons
Citation:	9 (1), January-February 2000
Notes:	Explores the findings of a study which, applying textual analysis, reviewed media coverage of child abuse cases in three major Australian newspapers. The study is introduced by highlighting the absence of research in this area, the role of the media as a bridge between public and private spheres, and their role in shaping public perceptions of social issues. It is argued the results of the study confirm two findings. Firstly, there was a tendency for children to be represented as objects or, where gender was initially identified, for it to be ‘lost’ in the discussion. This phenomenon is referred to as ‘gender neglect’ and appeared to be specific to stories relating to child abuse. Secondly, the words used to describe abuse tended to reduce the seriousness of the offence, often presenting it as consensual. This phenomenon was referred to as ‘textual abuse’. It is suggested that the combination of textual abuse and gender neglect reduces the impact of the story on the reader and that the media should recognise their obligations both to the people they write about and to the general public.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12462
ISSN:	0952-9136
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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