Fault lines: Exploring a story idea through gender

Our group considered possible gender-related story ideas for sub-prime mortgages. There are many lens through which to look at this issue via gender, but our ideas were:

*Profiling people in trouble from a gender perspective, including single men and women, single mothers and fathers, etc. How did these people get their sub-prime mortgages? How are they coping now? Find out what’s happening to their lives and how this financial struggle is playing out.
*Profile the same gender breakdowns from an additional or different angle—who is availing themselves of recent government aid? Do they know about it? How are they using it? Is it making a difference.
*Mine the data. Look at a gender breakdown of who got sub-prime loans throughout your coverage area. Are there any differences in gender that correspond to geography other factors? Who gave out the loans and are there any gender trends there? Get data on the homes for sale, possibly from the realtor board or association, and review property records to determine owner. Get data on foreclosures. What are the genders of the folks using sales to get rid of their homes and/or what are the genders of those going through foreclosure? What about refinancing? Who is doing that or able to do that?

-- Deedra Lawhead, Kentucky.com

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