Fox News has come under fire from Media Matters recently for their portrayal of young, single women. In recent months, the network has pushed the notion that these women are irresponsible and immoral, and that marriage and motherhood should be their primary focus. This was highlighted by a particularly controversial example that Media Matters flagged.
Conservative Media Argue Young Women Shouldn’t Vote
Fox News’ Kimberly Guilfoyle has sparked controversy after suggesting that young women should not exercise their civic duties due to their lack of life experience. During the October 21 edition of Fox News’ The Five, the co-hosts discussed the impact of women voters in the upcoming midterm elections. Guilfoyle suggested that young women should not be allowed to vote, and instead should be excused from jury duty. She went on to suggest that they should “go back on Tinder or Match.com”. This statement has been met with criticism from many, who argue that young women should be allowed to exercise their civic duties.
In a segment on Fox News’ “Outnumbered” on October 2, host Tucker Carlson raised questions about a Republican campaign to encourage young women to vote Republican. He asked whether the young women targeted by the ad should vote at all, noting that their favorite show was “Say Yes to the Dress.” This prompted a discussion about the qualifications of those in government. Carlson argued that the electorate should be wary of people whose favorite show is a reality program about wedding dresses.
“CARLSON: I don’t think as a general matter you should be encouraging people who don’t know anything about what they’re voting for to vote. That’s what the Democrats do, giving Newports to the homeless to get them to the polls. That’s literally true. Republicans shouldn’t follow suit on that. You shouldn’t pander to people. Tell us what the candidates are for, what they’re against. Attack the other guy, that’s fair too. I’m all for attack ads, but you’re targeting people — you’re targeting people who are watching Say Yes To The Dress? You want your government run by people … who’s favorite show is Say Yes To The Dress. [Fox News, Outnumbered, 10/2/14]”
In a recent post on the National Review Online, Kevin D. Williamson argued that young women are “too dumb to vote”. Williamson argued that voting is a “shallow gesture of citizenship” and that those who do not share his political values should not vote at all. This has sparked a debate about the right of young women to participate in the democratic process.
“I would like to suggest, as gently as I can, that if you are voting as an act of self-gratification, if you do not understand the role that voting in fact plays in a constitutional republic, and if you need Lena Dunham to tell you why and how you should be voting — you should not vote. If you get your politics from actors and your news from television comedians — you should not vote. There’s no shame in it, your vote is statistically unlikely to affect the outcome of an election, and there are many much more meaningful ways to serve your country and your fellow man: Volunteer at a homeless shelter; join the Marine Corps; become a nun; start a business. [National Review Online, 9/29/14, via Media Matters] “
