Inequality in life—and death: Newspaper obituaries have long discriminated against women, says researcher (2024)

Inequality in life—and death: Newspaper obituaries have long discriminated against women, says researcher (1)

Gender discrimination doesn't always end after a woman dies. Newspapers have long treated women differently in the number, wording and presentation of obituaries.

Since the 18th century, newspapers have published short death notices with basic facts—announcements often submitted by family members or funeral homes, and positioned near the advertising columns.

Obituaries, on the other hand, are stories with more detail on a person's life—the types of tributes that might capture a stranger's attention. Typically, they're reported by newspaper staff and require news judgment: What, or who, would readers find interesting?

That value judgment has driven who is considered worthy of an obituary for centuries. And for years, women's exclusion from the public sphere meant they rarely made the cut.

Not all obituaries are flattering. Still, they signal that someone mattered to society.

'True womanhood'

Just before the Civil War, in the early years of The New York Times, the number of death notices the paper ran for women and men were nearly equal, according to historian Janice Hume. Yet her book exploring obituaries from 1818 to 1930 notes that only 8% of the paper's obituaries paid homage to women at that time.

For either gender, the subjects of obituaries in the 19th century were typically white and upper-middle class. Women of color or from lower classes would be noted only if they met an unusual fate or lived to be exceptionally old.

The 19th century was the height of an ideal called "the cult of true womanhood," a component of my researchon female activism. Middle- and upper-class culture in the U.S. prized the idea of men and women having different spheres—and women's was meant to be at home. The world of business and politics was often portrayed as corrupt, and society assigned women the role of nurturing moral values at home.

These messages set expectations for women's behavior—emphasizing piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity—and affected how they were portrayed in the media. Women heard about these virtues in church and read about them in magazines.

The language used to describe women in obituaries aligned with these ideals. Hume's analysis showed that obituaries tended to describe women using terms such as "pious," "virtuous," "obedient," "innocent," "useful" and "kind."

Obituaries primarily identified women by their association with men: their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers. Later in the 19th century, a woman's obituary might include a listing of her public accomplishments—but only if they did not threaten her "true womanhood."

For instance, several newspapers across the country reported the 1870 death of Charlotte Lozier, an early graduate of the New York Medical College for Women. Her name previously was in the newspapers for her activities as a well-known physician, lecturer and women's rights activist. After she died, an item in the Worcester Daily Spy mentioned Lozier's profession but emphasized her morality, religion, friendliness and family life.

"Her house was the resort of some of the choicest spirits of New York society, and its hospitality was disposed with a grace and geniality never to be forgotten by those who had once enjoyed it," the writer stated.

Double standards

The nature of obituaries did not change much as the suffrage movement pushed more women into the public sphere—in part because of competition among daily newspapers. Stories needed to attract readers, so it was crucial for obituary subjects to be prominent and interesting. At the time, women were not perceived as a draw.

Hume found that in 1930, fewer than 20% of obituary subjects in The New York Times and Chicago Tribune were women. A study conducted in the 1970s offered similar percentages. That study also demonstrated that obituaries written about women were shorter than men's, on average, and less likely to have a photograph.

A study of obituaries published in 2004 confirmed that men's obituaries were more likely to have photos. It added that images with women's obituaries were more likely than men's to depict the subject at a younger age than she was when she died.

The age discrepancy in women's obituary photos increased in the late 20th century, according to research from Ohio State University social work scholars: an intensifying double standard in which women's beauty is equated with youthfulness.

Righting wrongs

The New York Times has expressed remorse for its unequal treatment of women in obituaries, and it began using a diversity analysis tool five years ago to ensure that at least 30% of its obituary subjects are female.

Furthermore, the Times created "Overlooked": a series of stories about remarkable people whose deaths had never been reported in the newspaper. Though these weekly features have focused on women, they also have highlighted people whose deaths were ignored due to other kinds of discrimination.

Subjects include Indian women's rights activist Hansa Mehta; Japanese American journalist Bill Hosokawa, who was sent to an internment camp during World War II; Ida B. Wells, the African American journalist who brought national attention to lynchings; and tap dancer Henry Heard, an advocate for people with disabilities.

Tributes today

These are steps toward balancing the number of women that major newspapers eulogize. Furthermore, at a time when newspapers have fewer proceeds from advertising and subscriptions, obituaries that families pay to publish have become a valuable income source for smaller papers, making their obituaries more inclusive.

Though written by loved ones, these stories classify as obituaries because they go beyond the basic facts of a death notice. However, even obituaries submitted by families and funeral homes carry bias.

In a 2017 study, researcher Mary Colak found that word choices in family-written obituaries echo 19th-century language. While men's obituaries used more success-related terms, such as "knowledgeable" and "experienced," women's used more social terms, such as "kind," "generous" and "loving."

Colak made several suggestions to create more balance. She encouraged writers to avoid gender cliches and to remember that accomplishments and virtues for both men and women come in many forms.

But she also suggested a tip that everyone can use: that individuals write their own obituaries ahead of time so they are remembered exactly as they want to be.

Provided byThe Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.Inequality in life—and death: Newspaper obituaries have long discriminated against women, says researcher (2)

Citation:Inequality in life—and death: Newspaper obituaries have long discriminated against women, says researcher (2024, July 11)retrieved 24 July 2024from https://phys.org/news/2024-07-inequality-life-death-newspaper-obituaries.html

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Inequality in life—and death: Newspaper obituaries have long discriminated against women, says researcher (2024)

FAQs

Inequality in life—and death: Newspaper obituaries have long discriminated against women, says researcher? ›

Hume found that in 1930, fewer than 20% of obituary subjects in The New York Times and Chicago Tribune were women. A study conducted in the 1970s offered similar percentages. That study also demonstrated that obituaries written about women were shorter than men's, on average, and less likely to have a photograph.

Why would someone not want an obituary? ›

While there are many benefits to writing an obituary, there are also reasons why a family might not want to. Some may feel that it is too personal or private to share with the public, while others may not have the financial means to pay for its publication.

What is the purpose of the obituary? ›

An obituary serves as notification that an individual has passed away and details of the services that are to take place. But it can, and should be be far more meaningful than that. A well-crafted obituary can detail the life of the deceased, with style and grace.

Is it disrespectful not to have an obituary? ›

Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.

Why do people write obituaries? ›

An obituary is an explicit way of telling the local community that your loved one has died. It maximizes the audience of people who know or had a connection with the deceased. An obituary is still the preferred way of finding out the local residents who have died.

Why shouldn't you publish an obituary? ›

Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary. Obituaries are also written for the living so that they may learn of an individual's passing.

What should be avoided in an obituary? ›

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Writing an Obituary
  • Avoid Making the Obituary About You. ...
  • Don't Focus Just on Death. ...
  • Listing People Who Were Appreciated. ...
  • Avoid Clichés. ...
  • Abbreviations. ...
  • Don't Over Describe the Funeral.

Why do obituaries cost so much? ›

Why does it cost so much to post an obituary? Publishing an obituary in the newspaper is expensive because of the limited space papers have. Newspapers value every inch of each page, so they must charge to use that limited space for an obituary.

Should an obituary list cause of death? ›

It is preferable, when applicable, to include the age at death and a personal comment such as “surrounded by family” or “comforted by his wife.” NB: Sometimes it is desirable to omit the cause of death – such as when death came as a result of extreme violence, or the carrying out of a court sentence.

Is it normal to read the obituary at a funeral? ›

It serves as a way to inform the community about the individual's passing and to honor their memory. During a funeral or memorial service, it is common for someone to stand up and read the obituary to the attendees. This reading may be performed by a family member, a close friend, or a designated individual.

Why do you have to wait 3 days before cremation? ›

This waiting period gives family and friends time to plan a funeral or memorial service. It also allows for an autopsy to be performed if there is a suspicion of foul play or if the death was sudden and unexplained. In addition, the wait time provides an opportunity for the body to be inspected for contagious diseases.

Who will bury me if I have no family? ›

You may appoint anyone you wish, including a friend, relative or clergy person, to make all the necessary funeral and burial arrangements.

When should you not have a funeral? ›

For example, if you don't believe in the afterlife then a traditional funeral might not feel right for you, as this is a focus of religious ceremonies. Some people dislike the somber nature of funerals and prefer the idea of a joyful event that celebrates the life they've led.

How do you say no funeral in an obituary? ›

Obituary Example: No Funeral or Memorial. [Full name] sadly passed away on [date of death] at their home in [place of passing]. They always spread joy and happiness wherever they went. As per [first name]'s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.

Why do obituaries lie? ›

Obituary writers sometimes deliberately distort the truth in their stories. False obituaries are written for many reasons: concealing a divorce, excluding children from another marriage, exaggerating a deceased's accomplishments, or excluding certain relatives.

How much do you get paid to write obituaries? ›

Glassdoor.com reports that the estimated total pay for an Obituary Writer with 0-1 year experience is $83,616 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $67,084 per year. Many times, family members are too busy, too emotional, or ill-equipped to write an obituary that is suited for a proper send off.

Why would someone not want a funeral? ›

Financial considerations: Funerals can be expensive, and some families may not have the financial means to organise a funeral service when there is an alternative to go without. Environmental concerns: Some people opt for a green funeral, a water cremation or a natural burial to minimise their environmental impact.

Why is there no obituary on My Friend? ›

However, in communities where access to media is limited, or in cases where the deceased or their family prefer privacy, an obituary may not be published. Additionally, socio-economic factors can influence whether an obituary is created, as families with fewer resources might not have the means to publish one.

What should I exclude from an obituary? ›

Obituaries should not be written in the first person. This means you should not use "I" language. Remember that an obituary is not a personal tribute, like a sympathy card or condolence letter. You should also exclude personal addresses and phone numbers.

How to honor someone who doesn't want a funeral? ›

Here are some alternative options for memorializing the person who died in a meaningful way.
  1. Arrange a get-together at your loved one's favorite spot. ...
  2. Publish an obituary or death announcement. ...
  3. Organize an interactive tribute. ...
  4. Put together a slideshow of photos or a memorial book for your loved one.
Feb 7, 2022

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