Perspectives of Aging Reflection

Introduction

Ageism is a form of prejudice where people are prejudiced due to their age. Media portrays negative images where old people are associated with weakness and hostility. Old age in primitive societies was very important as old people were source of knowledge and memories which maintained survival and values to the society. However, due to high population of older people in the society, societies shifted to industrialized economies where old people are biased and denied the authority (Nelson, 2004). Media is the main platform where ageing issues are portrayed with negative stereotypes. For example, television, movies and news shows diversity and negative portrayal which contributes to surprising effects such as stress and blood pressure. Media presents a negative stereotype of elderly people since they are portrayed as feeble, senile, elitist, despondent and helpless. Ageism has negative effects on the lives of old people since it contributes to mental problems (Nelson, 2004). Old people develop worse memory and a sense of hopelessness. In modern society, beauty and vitality are valued while old people are viewed with a negative insight.

 

Stereotypes of the elderly in the film

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)

In the film, women are underrepresented and marginalized. In the society, women are portrayed in a stereotypical manner in that older women are associated with ugliness and undesirability (Dhupi, 2017).When they are portrayed in the film; they are presented as burdensome, unfriendly and unattractive. Compared with men, women are prone to physical scrutiny due to physical beauty. From the film, old people face a problematic dilemma since they do get an opportunity to create a sense of belonging in the society. Thus, they develop a sense of hopelessness due to inexistence which is rooted from cultural standards (Dhupi, 2017). Older person in the film are portrayed as less intelligent and less attractive. From the film, stereotyping shapes people minds as it allows them to make judgment using stereotypical labels. In addition, stereotyping allows individuals to interact with others in different ways (Campbell & Carilli, 2005). Old people face many challenges since they lose physical ability and needs people to care for them.

Stereotypes of the elderly in the advertisement

Life Alert Commercial

 

This is a Life Alert advertisement which presents stereotype of elderly people. An old women is portrayed as immobile and feeble and someone who cannot help herself. Old people are portrayed as inexperienced to an extent that they are unable to use the new technology (SPOTONMEDIA, INC, 2014). Life Alert is not designed for old people only but when it comes to advertisement, old people are chosen since they are weak and helpless. Old people are portrayed like children who lack the knowhow of the Life Alarm commercials. They are fragile and people who are prone to injury the same way children are perceived.  From this advertisement, old people are portrayed as weak people who depend on others (SPOTONMEDIA, INC, 2014). Since they are incapable of helping themselves, they become a burden to the society and this leads to discrimination in access to society opportunities (Schneider, 2005).  Old people are abused and mistreated in terms of financial exploitation, physical abuse and neglect.

Stereotypes of the elderly in the TV show (Kings of Queens).

This TV show presents a male stereotype which is portrayed by Doug and Carrie.  Carrie’s father is old and lives with two couples who view the father as a helpless person.  Carrie’s father does not understand the things in the world around him (ArthurSpoonerFan, 2009). The show presents the father as a helpless victim and the couples believes that the father has a mental decline which hinders the competency and intelligence. The father is portrayed as a person with low learning capabilities, forgetful and has poor intellectual competency. In addition, old people are characterized with memory failure which contributes to disrespect. In other words, the show portrays age discrimination and marginalization. Arthur is presented as a stubborn person who is connected with old ways (Nelson, 2004). In the show, old age is associated with negative traits since Arthur is portrayed as feeble and helpless person. Arthur sticks to old ways and he is unable to adapt to the news of living (ArthurSpoonerFan, 2009).  Carrie and Doug have the perception that the father does not like progress and treats him in unpleasant way.  

Conclusion

Media presents stereotypical images which portrays old people as weak and helpless.  Stereotype in Western cultures makes people to create the assumptions that old people are not important to the society. In the media, old people are presented as lonely, depressed and people who suffer from various illness. They do not have a strong social interaction and are people who depend on others for help. The popular culture is reinforcing age stereotype and this is apparent in media where old people are underrepresented. The society has set a cognitive foundation where people believe that old people have undesirable traits. In modern society, media shapes peoples’ attitudes and tends to convince them that old people are unattractive and incompetent. However, old people are individuals who deserve respect from the society. Media should shun from portraying negative images which characterize old people as weak in order to end the stereotype.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Dhupi Phintra. (2017). Heartbreak Ridge (1986)-FulL MovIEⒷ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITuqcg2rE6c

SPOTONMEDIA, INC. (2014). Life Alert Commercial 2014 - Basement | DRTV Commercial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4JzxG0cnpg

ArthurSpoonerFan. (2009). Arthur Gets a Job at Danny's Pizza Place - King of Queens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMiJzne3Wmk

 

Campbell, J., & Carilli, T. (2005). Women and the media: Diverse perspectives. Lanham, Md. [u.a.: Univ.

Press of America.

 

Nelson, T. D. (2004). Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older persons. Cambridge, Mass [u.a.:

MIT Press.

 

Schneider, D. J. (2005). The psychology of stereotyping. New York [u.a.: Guilford Press.