Oral Presentations
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Mark Heirigs
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Sociology & Criminology
Abstract / Artist's Statement
The current analysis is on the language used to describe sex workers who are victims of homicide. It explores the types of words used to describe the victims, specifically the use of the word prostitute. The main objective of this project is to examine the potential biases in the language used in academic and online news articles to describe sex workers who are victims of homicide. The methodology is a content analysis with the only guidelines being that the articles need to include any description of sex workers as victims of homicide. This allows for comparison of contemporary pieces and non-contemporary to see potential differences that could play a role in the type of language used. Next, common themes were pulled from the articles such as: usage of the word prostitute, instances of victim-blaming, and shifts of language change (i.e., prostitute to sex worker). Routine activities theory will provide a theoretical lens for the analysis, as it is applicable to the demographic focus on the project. The goal is that the findings will build a foundation for future researchers to explore the usage of language regarding marginalized populations. Hopefully, these findings will hold researchers accountable in future research endeavors as neutral language is crucial and being biased without reflexivity is unethical research. Results will also aim to reduce any biases towards sex workers because it reminds the readers that they are also humans deserving of respect as well.
Category
Social Sciences
Sex workers, homicide, and content analysis
UC 331
The current analysis is on the language used to describe sex workers who are victims of homicide. It explores the types of words used to describe the victims, specifically the use of the word prostitute. The main objective of this project is to examine the potential biases in the language used in academic and online news articles to describe sex workers who are victims of homicide. The methodology is a content analysis with the only guidelines being that the articles need to include any description of sex workers as victims of homicide. This allows for comparison of contemporary pieces and non-contemporary to see potential differences that could play a role in the type of language used. Next, common themes were pulled from the articles such as: usage of the word prostitute, instances of victim-blaming, and shifts of language change (i.e., prostitute to sex worker). Routine activities theory will provide a theoretical lens for the analysis, as it is applicable to the demographic focus on the project. The goal is that the findings will build a foundation for future researchers to explore the usage of language regarding marginalized populations. Hopefully, these findings will hold researchers accountable in future research endeavors as neutral language is crucial and being biased without reflexivity is unethical research. Results will also aim to reduce any biases towards sex workers because it reminds the readers that they are also humans deserving of respect as well.