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<p>The portrayal of female drivers in China’s social context is not an inherent reality but a construct shaped by media discourse. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of news reports from four Chinese outlets over the past 70 years, revealing a significant evolution in the depiction of female drivers. Initially, female drivers represented women’s emancipation and their active participation in the nation’s modernization efforts. During the socialist construction era, many skilled female drivers emerged, adept at operating modern transportation machinery, often portrayed as <i>Holding Half the Sky</i>. However, over time, this narrative has shifted towards stigmatizing discourse, evolving from individual negative labels to perceptions of female drivers as a collective social group. This transformation has acquired a complex and multifaceted significance related to broader public issues. The representation of female drivers illustrates a fractured discourse process of origin, transformation, and extension, influenced by various societal mechanisms. This evolution underscores the intricate interplay between media and gender, highlighting how the myth of the female driver has been shaped over time. The enduring impact and significance of this portrayal lie in its reinforcement of traditional gender norms and power dynamics within society.</p>

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What is the story behind female drivers? An analysis of how the media discourse surrounding women behind the wheel in China has evolved from 1949 to 2019

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Dongdong Shi,
  • Jiayi Wu,
  • Kai-Yung Brian Tam,
  • Yingsi Huang

摘要

The portrayal of female drivers in China’s social context is not an inherent reality but a construct shaped by media discourse. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of news reports from four Chinese outlets over the past 70 years, revealing a significant evolution in the depiction of female drivers. Initially, female drivers represented women’s emancipation and their active participation in the nation’s modernization efforts. During the socialist construction era, many skilled female drivers emerged, adept at operating modern transportation machinery, often portrayed as Holding Half the Sky. However, over time, this narrative has shifted towards stigmatizing discourse, evolving from individual negative labels to perceptions of female drivers as a collective social group. This transformation has acquired a complex and multifaceted significance related to broader public issues. The representation of female drivers illustrates a fractured discourse process of origin, transformation, and extension, influenced by various societal mechanisms. This evolution underscores the intricate interplay between media and gender, highlighting how the myth of the female driver has been shaped over time. The enduring impact and significance of this portrayal lie in its reinforcement of traditional gender norms and power dynamics within society.