We hear a lot about women

Women have been front and center this election season – and in the final week before election day, a number of publications are looking at what this means.

Vanity Fair points out that 2016 has “become one of the nastiest, most gendered bloodbaths in recent political memory.”  This election, which could be celebrated as a groundbreaking moment for women (the first female major-party candidate, the first female campaign chief (Kellyanne Conway), successful daughters that advise their parents’ campaigns) seems to be dismayingly focused on the victimization of women (Huma Abedin, Megan Kelly, Alicia Machado, assault survivors, heavy women, working women, anyone less than “a 10,” among others).

HuffPo aptly titled their article, “2016 Election Finds Women Making History, Men Making Everyone Uncomfortable.” It goes on, “The first U.S. presidential election to feature a woman nominee from a major party is being dominated by news of men behaving badly.”

In their front-page piece, USA Today says, “Whatever happens on Election Day, this year has been a gender earthquake.” The article notes that gender-based support has been redefined as educated women are leaning Democratic and men without college degrees tend to support the GOP. There’s been plenty of reporting about the importance of educated women this cycle and Nate Silver’s map provided a stark portrait of this influence. (What do you call this demographic anyway?)

In contrast to Silver’s predictions, BuzzFeed published an article, “Meet The Ivanka Voter.” The piece describes white, suburban, moderately wealthy women who may idolize or wear Ivanka Trump. Their disgust with Clinton is the driving factor in voting for Donald, and his problems with women are an inconvenient flaw to be overlooked. Thus Ivanka is a “Trump launderer: a sanitized, assuring, classy Trump who makes it less troublesome to vote for her father.” Although this group doesn’t adhere to the educated-woman trend, it’s an interesting insight into how these women think of their choice. (Read the comments on this article).

The woman-as-victim and women-as-deciders have been the dominant media tropes this election season. In fact, it seems that one may cause the other. The sheer offense of Donald Trump’s remarks has resulted in traditionally non-political magazines taking a stand, editorial boards crossing the spectrum and elected officials not supporting their party’s nominee.

As happy as I am that women and the accompanying issues are receiving media coverage, I’m uncomfortable with the tone. Are these topics only covered when they fit the aforementioned narratives? Women are more than victims or voters to be pandered to. Is the media adequately portraying this? My gut says no, but my brain's still trying to figure it out.