"GRANDMA CLOCKED AT 102 MPH" was the headline on my MSN home page.
WHY is it that nearly every time women of a certain age are arrested the newspaper articles are prefaced by some version of "grandmother", usually "grandma"; I have seen this kind of gender bias numerous times in newspapers and other media, but I have never seen a similar headline about "grandpas".
What could being a grandmother have to do with her speeding? NOTHING. The article revealed that she is 72 years old and that she was late for a hair appointment. Would there have been a feature if it had been a 72-year-old grandfather? OF COURSE NOT!
Who cares if offenders are grandmothers? Does it make the offense worse because they are grandmothers? Does it make the article more interesting? Is it unexpected behavior? Why the gender bias?
It's a good thing I'm not a grandmother or my latest traffic offense might have been front-page news!
WHY is it that nearly every time women of a certain age are arrested the newspaper articles are prefaced by some version of "grandmother", usually "grandma"; I have seen this kind of gender bias numerous times in newspapers and other media, but I have never seen a similar headline about "grandpas".
What could being a grandmother have to do with her speeding? NOTHING. The article revealed that she is 72 years old and that she was late for a hair appointment. Would there have been a feature if it had been a 72-year-old grandfather? OF COURSE NOT!Who cares if offenders are grandmothers? Does it make the offense worse because they are grandmothers? Does it make the article more interesting? Is it unexpected behavior? Why the gender bias?
It's a good thing I'm not a grandmother or my latest traffic offense might have been front-page news!
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