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Babes and boobs? analysis of JAMA cover art
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada. j.clark@utoronto.ca
Objective:
To determine the representation of the sexes in JAMA cover art.
Design:
Review of 50 consecutive issues.
Setting:
JAMA, March 1997-March 1998.
Main Outcome Measures:
Numbers and nature of covers portraying men and women.
Results:
Of the 50 covers, 34 depicted humans. 15 depicted women, 13 men, and 6 were of mixed or indeterminate sex. 11 pictures of women included a child and five included nudity. One cover showed a man with a child (not as a father) and none depicted nudity. Men were depicted exclusively in authoritative roles.
Conclusions:
Much of the cover art gives strong messages about sexual stereotypes that are inappropriate in modern society. JAMA should consider reviewing its policy for choosing cover art.