Most Americans say it is inappropriate to discuss a woman’s prime years on TV
Washington, DC, March 8th, 2023 – Last month on CNN This Morning, Anchor Don Lemon stated that former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley “isn’t in her prime,” and that, “…a woman is considered to be in her prime—in her 20s, 30s, and maybe her 40s.” A new Ipsos poll, provided exclusively to Variety, finds that while two in three Americans agree that a woman is in her prime in her 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s, most also find that discussion inappropriate for live TV. Regardless, a bare majority of Americans believe a public figure should not be disciplined by their employer for making such a comment. As for the specific incident itself, only one in five say they have heard a great deal or a fair amount about Lemon’s specific comments on air.
For more information on this study, please click here.
Detailed Findings:
1. Most Americans agree that “A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.” However, differences exist by gender and age.
- Two-thirds (67%) say they agree that a woman is in her prime in her 20s, 30s, or maybe 40s. Just one-fifth say they strongly
- Men (72%) are more likely than women (62%) to say they agree that women are in their prime from their 20s to their 40s.
- Similarly, 76% percent of Americans ages 18-34 agree with the statement, 18 percentage points higher than those ages 55+ (58%).
2. While many agree that women are in their prime in their 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s, the majority believe it is inappropriate for a public figure to say so on live TV. Men and women are largely aligned in this sentiment.
- Three-fifths (60%) say it is inappropriate for a public figure to say such a statement on live TV. About a quarter (24%) say it is very
- About three-fifths of men (57%) and women (62%) agree that making such a statement on live TV is inappropriate. Although, women are more likely than men to say doing so is very inappropriate (28% vs 20%, respectively).
- More Americans ages 55+ (71%) are likely to say making such a statement on live TV is inappropriate versus those ages 18-34 (52%) or 35-54 (56%).
3. Although most Americans think making such a statement on live TV is inappropriate, they are divided on whether making such a statement merits disciplinary action by one’s employer.
- Over half (56%) of Americans say that an employer should not discipline a public figure for making a statement about a woman’s prime age. Only 44% say an employee should be disciplined for doing so.
- Those who say they are aware of Lemon’s comments are more likely (51%) to say a public figure should be disciplined than those who have not heard anything about it (37%).
- Of those who agree that disciplinary action should be taken, a plurality (33%) says formal sensitivity training is most appropriate, followed by an apology (28%) – putting them generally in line with the steps CNN took in this particular instance.
- After sensitivity training and an apology, 22% of those in favor of disciplinary action say an employee suspension is best—either with pay (7%) or without pay (15%). Just 13% say firing the employee would be the most appropriate response.
About the Study
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll, provided exclusively to Variety, conducted between March 2-3, 2023. For this survey, a sample of roughly 1,004 adults ages 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English.
The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2021 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment.
Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=1,004, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=+/-5.3 percentage points).
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Mallory Newall
Vice President, US
Public Affairs
+1 202 374-2613
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