GENDER UNDER COVER: HOW GENDER IS MADE MEANINGFUL ON THE COVERS OF TIME AND NEWSWEEK

This Thesis examines the ways in which gender is made meaningful on the covers of two general interest magazines, Time and Newsweek. Using directed qualitative content analysis and Goffman's (1979) conceptual framework from his work in Gender Advertisements, I analyze 46 covers during the 2008-2012 timeframe. While ample research examines advertisements in magazines, this research adds to the dearth of knowledge about gender on their covers. My findings reveal that gender stereotypes are in fact present on these covers. Covers depict men as superior and successful in the working world, while women are largely confined to roles of biological reproduction, mothering, and child-rearing. When women are shown in the similar positions to men, they appear unserious and are marginalized within these positions. Furthermore, women are sexualized throughout these portrayals. My analysis also indicates that Goffman's (1979) conceptual framework can be used on visual images in other contexts and forms.