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Historical Progression of Problem Definition for the Practices of Polygamy and Prostitution in the United States

Weis, Rebecca L
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1151340686

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Public Administration (MPA), Bowling Green State University, Public Administration.
This thesis was concerned with determining what factors contribute to situations, specifically the practices of polygamy and prostitution, becoming defined as public problems. The main hypothesis of this thesis was that shifts in problem definition occur in response to focusing events. To address the central question of this thesis dual methodologies were employed. The first method employed was qualitative historical case study analysis. Historical case studies were prepared for both the practices of polygamy and prostitution, both spanning from around the 1600’s until 2005. These historical case studies determined the following: why the issue has failed to be sufficiently enforced; why the practice has a seemingly changing problem definition; what major focusing events transpired influencing the policies surrounding the practice, and the extent of media attention to the practice throughout history. The second method used was content analysis of media coverage for both polygamy and prostitution. Three hundred and three periodical articles from the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature from 1890 through 2005 were analyzed for media content and qualitatively coded for their problem definitions of both polygamy and prostitution. This method also identified problem definition shifts, media attention, and focusing events for the practice of polygamy. Six major results were obtained through this research. First, problem definitions are not fixed designations they transform over time and do arise predictably in response to focusing events. Second, the majority of focusing events result in an increase of media coverage for related specific issues. Third, the content of media coverage after focusing events relates to specific issues connected to the focusing event’s subject matter. Fourth, counter to the research’s expectations focusing events do not result in narrower problem definitions. Fifth, this research also uncovered new criteria for identifying focusing events, resulting in anomalies in media attention after focusing events. Lastly, the research identified new types of focusing events previously not included in the typology of focusing events. These various findings supported the main hypothesis of this thesis that shifts in problem definition occur as the result of focusing events.
Shannon Orr (Advisor)
96 p.
problem definition; focusing events; polygamy; prostitution

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Weis, R. L. (2006). Historical Progression of Problem Definition for the Practices of Polygamy and Prostitution in the United States [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1151340686

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Weis, Rebecca. Historical Progression of Problem Definition for the Practices of Polygamy and Prostitution in the United States. 2006. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1151340686.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Weis, Rebecca. "Historical Progression of Problem Definition for the Practices of Polygamy and Prostitution in the United States." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1151340686

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1151340686
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.