Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Communications
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Dustin M Harp
Second Advisor
Mark W Tremayne
Third Advisor
Erika J Pribanic-Smith
Abstract
This study examines how women in politics view and respond to media representation, shifting the focus from analyzing content to understanding the personal experiences and strategic choices of the politicians themselves. Through semi-structured interviews with 15 women in political roles, the research looks at the mental and emotional effort needed to navigate a media landscape shaped by gender.
The findings highlight a significant gap between how these women see themselves and how the media portrays them. They often feel that professional credibility must be built over time rather than being granted automatically. Participants pointed out common gendered portrayals, such as intense scrutiny of their appearance, emotions, and family responsibilities. These issues are made even more complex by additional layers of marginalization related to race, age, and socioeconomic status.
The research reveals how these perceptions affect self-presentation, such as altering self-presentation, managing emotions, and switching communication styles, as women strive to balance institutional demands with their authentic selves. Importantly, the study also uncovers a trend of resistance, with politicians actively rejecting imposed norms to take control of their public image. By incorporating feminist media, framing, intersectional, and role congruity theories, this study presents a thorough model of the proactive identity work women engage in to confront systemic bias and reshape the standards of political leadership.
Keywords
Women in Politics, Media Representation, Gender Bias, Intersectionality, Code-switching, Self-presentation, Political Communication, Gendered Framing, Media Framing.
Disciplines
Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Women's Studies
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, Ariana J., "The Voices of Women Politicians: Media Representation and Its Influence on Identity, Gender Bias, and Self-Presentation" (2026). Communication Theses. 1.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/communication_theses2/1