Purcell, C. , Hilton, S. and McDaid, L. (2014) The stigmatisation of abortion: a qualitative analysis of print media in Great Britain in 2010. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 16(9), pp. 1141-1155. (doi: 10.1080/13691058.2014.937463)
|
Text
95126.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 175kB |
Abstract
The media play a significant part in shaping public perceptions of health issues, and abortion attracts continued media interest. Detailed examination of media constructions of abortion may help to identify emerging public discourse. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine if and how the print media in contributes to the stigmatisation of abortion. Articles from seven British and five Scottish national newspapers from 2010 were analysed for overall framings of abortion and emergent themes, including potentially stigmatising discursive constructs and language. Abortion was found to be presented using predominantly negative language and discursive associations as ‘risky’, and in association with other ‘discredited’ social practices. Key perspectives were found to be absent or marginalised, including those of women who have sought abortion. Few articles framed abortion as a positive and legitimate choice. Negative media representations of abortion contribute to the stigmatisation of the procedure and of women who have it, and reflect a discrediting of women's reproductive decision-making. There is a need to challenge the notion that abortion stigma is inevitable, and to encourage positive framings of abortion in the media and other public discourse.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | McDaid, Professor Lisa and Purcell, Dr Carrie and Hilton, Professor Shona |
| Authors: | Purcell, C., Hilton, S., and McDaid, L. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU |
| Journal Name: | Culture, Health and Sexuality |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis |
| ISSN: | 1369-1058 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1464-5351 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2014 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Culture, Health and Sexuality 16(9):1141-1155 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
| Related URLs: |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information