A reader complains:

"This barren spinster is getting really annoyed by the overuse of the reproductive status of individuals in N&O news stories. It's always lurked on the periphery, but it's getting worse, and by far the most offenses are in defining women for no reason whatsoever as mothers, especially on first reference.

(real, from yesterday) is not:
Clayton mom found dead at home
The body of a mother of three is found. Her rental truck is missing

I replied that we use this kind of identifying information becausae it adds to the portrait of a person in a news story, beyond generic descriptions like "Clayton woman" or "Raleigh man." But the shorthand has its limitations.

What do you think?

04/26/06 at 16:22
It all depends upon your editorial policy. If it is to report the news, the status as mother or dad is not newsworthy, and as such isn't part of the copy. If, on the other hand, the policy is to sensationalize the news, then go ahead and include this information, but please also begin placing the N&O in line at the check out counters next to the Star and the Enquirer, which has lately been a far more appropriate location.

04/27/06 at 15:39
Thanks for the comment. By coincidence, the Wall Street Journal ran a story on its front page this morning with this headline: "Grandmother Guards U.S. Phone Network from 'Idol' Threat."

Her status as a grandmother had nothing to do with the story, which was about her job at AT&T spotting situations that could cause "mass calling events" that might overwhelm the phone network. So I found myself wondering if the reporter thought a "55-year-old grandmother" couldn't handle such a task.

05/23/06 at 01:10
Good Site . Nice work.

05/25/06 at 13:57
Good Site . Nice work.