The Portrayal of Black Family Social Instability: A Content Analysis of Family and Race across Traditional and New Media Sources

Kristopher R. Weeks; Travis L. Dixon; Chelsea P. Butkowski; Marisa A. Smith; Sarah V. Benevento; Deja D. Rollins; Amanda N. Tolbert

doi:10.4324/9781003452829-7

The Portrayal of Black Family Social Instability: A Content Analysis of Family and Race across Traditional and New Media Sources

Kristopher R. Weeks, Travis L. Dixon, Chelsea P. Butkowski, Marisa A. Smith, Sarah V. Benevento, Deja D. Rollins, Amanda N. Tolbert

Communication

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

We performed a human content analysis of a two-year sample of online news sites, cable and network news shows, and newspaper articles. We found that news media misrepresented impoverished families as disproportionately African American rather than Caucasian. In addition, the media over-represented the number of Black families receiving welfare compared to government records. Furthermore, these same sources incorrectly portrayed Black fathers as uninvolved in their children’s lives. Finally, these outlets significantly over-represented Black family members as criminals compared to crime reports. We discuss these findings considering media framing and stereotype accessibility.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	US Media and Diversity
Subtitle of host publication	Representation, Dissemination, and Effects
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Pages	83-100
Number of pages	18
ISBN (Electronic)	9781040085080
ISBN (Print)	9781032590776
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003452829-7
State	Published - Jan 1 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Arts and Humanities
General Social Sciences
General Business, Management and Accounting

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10.4324/9781003452829-7

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Weeks, K. R., Dixon, T. L., Butkowski, C. P., Smith, M. A., Benevento, S. V., Rollins, D. D., & Tolbert, A. N. (2024). The Portrayal of Black Family Social Instability: A Content Analysis of Family and Race across Traditional and New Media Sources. In US Media and Diversity: Representation, Dissemination, and Effects (pp. 83-100). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003452829-7

The Portrayal of Black Family Social Instability: A Content Analysis of Family and Race across Traditional and New Media Sources. / Weeks, Kristopher R.; Dixon, Travis L.; Butkowski, Chelsea P. et al.
US Media and Diversity: Representation, Dissemination, and Effects. Taylor and Francis, 2024. p. 83-100.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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The Portrayal of Black Family Social Instability: A Content Analysis of Family and Race across Traditional and New Media Sources

Abstract

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