Civility Can Silence Women In TV Debates

Civility Can Silence Women In TV Debates

Politeness may seem like a virtue in political debate. But when it comes to gender equality on television, it may be part of the problem. A new study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst finds that women on televised political panels speak less and are interrupted more often than men—especially when they are in the minority. Surprisingly, the loud, combative style of traditional “shout shows” actually gives women more space to speak than…