Media Construction Of Relative Vulnerable Mentality

At the end of2010, People's Daily started a discussion on social vulnerable mentality during a series of articles such as "Who is the vulnerable". Besides common recognized groups like migrant workers, white collars, professors or government officials, who were considered as social elites, also claimed their vulnerable social positions. After that the issue of Relative Vulnerable Mentality emerged in the media, and subjects like social relations, social mentality and happiness index continued through2011in media's agenda.In the context of China's social transformation, social mentality is highly considered both by the government and the public, which empowered media with its presentation of this subtle topic. In the Framing Analysis perspective, and by methods of content analysis and text analysis, this paper discusses the social attributes of Relative Vulnerable Mentality and its underlying reality. Through the analysis of the typical groups and social attitudes towards them, this paper argues that media's focus diverts from traditional underclass to the social middle class. Based on the multi-dimensional analysis of the phenomena, this paper considers relative deprivation, sense of injustice and anxiety as core components of Relative Vulnerable Mentality. By the discussion on the media construction of this subject, this paper identifies an issue-specific frame as Relative Vulnerable Frame. Traditionally, the media tends to present the vulnerable in social mainstream perspective, forming an issue-specific frame that emerges the orientation of social justice and equity. While Relative Vulnerable Frame, a new approach from the media's presentation, emphasizes on the construction of identity and expression of opinion during the social transformation and mobility, indicating the orientation of expression and communication.Furthermore, this paper identifies four interpretive packages in Relative Vulnerable Frame:Social Stratification, Social Justice, Identity and Expression. These overlapping packages constitute the structure, features, and explanatory inclination of Relative Vulnerable Frame. Considered the disparity of constructors in aspects of ability or effect, it differs greatly in application strategies and media presentations of interpretive packages. Therefore, Relative Vulnerable Frame is regarded as the result of social participation and collective construction.By the analysis of Relative Vulnerable Frame, this paper indicates the significance of Relative Vulnerable Mentality in media's agenda. It reveals the prevailing phenomena of relative vulnerabilities during China's social transformation and mobility by a fresh observation of social middle class. Additionally, though the depict of the living state and social mentality based on Identity and Expression, this subject explores the social status, resources allocation and institutional barriers behind, providing a new perspective of public expression and political response.