River Krapohl
Research Mentor(s): Mel Monier
Department or Program: Department of Communication and Media
Authors: River Krapohl, Mel Monier, PhD Candidate
Session: Session 2: 1:00pm-1:50pm
Poster: 25
Abstract
When looking at discourse surrounding trans masculinity and pregnancy, there are a substantial number of studies about the emotional impact of pregnancy, and experiences within the medical field. However, despite widespread acknowledgment of the media’s significant influence on the personal development of trans individuals and the shaping of public opinion, there remains a notable lack of studies focusing on this aspect. Through quantitative content analysis of fifteen media articles from 2001 to 2021, and further textual analysis of five of these articles, this study aims to answer two questions: 1) To what extent does the media use language that either legitimizes or delegitimizes the experiences of the trans community while discussing trans masculine individuals and pregnancy (adopted from Billard, 2016)? And 2) What messages do the authors convey about trans masculinity and pregnancy? The analysis focuses on identifying recurring themes and patterns in media narratives that either validate or invalidate the lived experiences of trans masculine individuals navigating pregnancy. This mixed-method analysis revealed that while the media consistently addresses trans masculine individuals by their correct names and pronouns (96.2% of the time), the media continues to delegitimize transgender identity in other ways. Approximately 65.8% of the 310 paragraphs contained legitimizing language. However, about 19% of the paragraphs contained delegitimizing language, with the most common being mischaracterization of gender identity—grouping trans men with women or trans women with men, or viewing the trans identity as a choice or mental illness. After analyzing five articles more deeply, it is apparent that the media exhibits discomfort while discussing trans people, often avoiding pronouns, terms, and direct references to an individual’s transness. In addition, trans masculine identities and pregnancy are frequently portrayed as sensational or abnormal. About 60% of Americans claim to not know a transgender person (Blazina, 2024); they learn about the trans community primarily through the media. The clear discomfort within the media is crucial to understand, especially in the context of pregnancy and diverse gender identities. How the media portrays transgender individuals affects society’s perceptions, shaping attitudes and acceptance.
