Description
In this paper, I examine the way newspaper articles in the New York Times and Washington Post portray Title IX’s sexual violence policies between 2011 and 2017. My inquiry and investigation within these mainstream media news sources were guided by sexual violence, policy, and a resurgence in the discussion about gender. I explore Title IX’s widening scope and increasing significance since its passage, the study of narrative analysis, and the history of sexual violence in politics. Ultimately, I examine the ways the New York Times and Washington Post manufacture and extrapolate narratives about sexual violence and Title IX’s sexual violence guidelines. I carefully outline my process of selection with regard to the papers and articles that were analyzed. I discuss how narrative analysis was utilized to examine these articles and explain my coding process in depth. I discuss my findings, which suggest that between 2011 and 2017 the narratives surrounding Title IX’s sexual violence guidelines were largely celebratory for both sexual violence and Title IX policy. Further, my findings indicate a gendered component to sexual violence and Title IX narratives which is explored. Additionally, I discuss the reflection of the feminist movement’s position on sexual violence and Title IX narratives.
