What are some words that come to mind when thinking of the older population? Maybe it is that older people are boring, that they are uptight, lazy, or that they do not participate in sexual activity. The majority of the American population has many strong stereotypes associated with the older population. The movie Hope Springs provides an insight on an empty-nest marriage in later life. The film utilizes the marriage between characters Arnold and Kay, to provide the audience with common stereotypes, ideas, and beliefs associated with older people and their marriage. Specifically, Hope Springs depicts the role of media in stereotyping the older population, overall stereotypes of the aged population, the idea of intimacy and sexuality decline,
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As previously mentioned, the media is one of the most influential culprits when it comes to forming stereotypes about older people. Within the first thirty minutes of the movie, the audience is able to witness several stereotypes. First off, the wife, Kay, works at the clothing store Coldwater Creek. This store is typically thought to be a store only older women buy clothes from. Every night before bed, the husband, Arnold, watches golf shows on television. Again, golf is typically associated with older men and a leisure activity retired men regularly participate in. When the movie continues to the next day, it is obvious it is showing repetition in Arnold and Kay’s day. Kay wakes up, gets ready, cooks her husband one egg and bacon, and he leaves for work. Repetition in one’s day is can also be associated with aging. Young people may be scared that when they get older, life will be boring and lacking spontaneity. The final stereotype that the movie addresses is the thought that older people are stingy with their money. In several instances, Arnold discusses the fact that a vacation will be too expensive, and he is not interested in spending money on anything that is not …show more content…
As depicted in the film by Kay and Arnold, many people believe that older couples sleep in separate bedrooms, avoiding any romantic interactions. While the idea is sometimes true, the majority of couples continue sexual activity regularly. According to one study, 73% of respondent who were between the ages of 57 and 64 were sexually active. While the study showed that sexual activity did decrease with age, 26% of respondents ages 75 to 85 still participated in sexual activity (Lindau et al., 2007). Kay and Arnold, unfortunately, were part of the 27% that did not continue sexual activity. In the film, Kay stated that her and Arnold had not had sex in almost five years. The lack of sex seemed to not bother Arnold, but caused decreased marital satisfaction on Kay’s end. In attempt to restore their relationship, Kay and Arnold attend an intensive couples counseling retreat in Maine. During counseling sessions, the audience learns a lot about the marriage and relationship between Kay and Arnold. The audience learns that even when they did have sex, it was almost always the same and had little variability. They only used one position and Kay rarely had an orgasm. It is also made known that this had always been the case, and was not the result of aging. With the idea that the older population does not participate in sex, the same idea goes with the older
As previously mentioned, the media is one of the most influential culprits when it comes to forming stereotypes about older people. Within the first thirty minutes of the movie, the audience is able to witness several stereotypes. First off, the wife, Kay, works at the clothing store Coldwater Creek. This store is typically thought to be a store only older women buy clothes from. Every night before bed, the husband, Arnold, watches golf shows on television. Again, golf is typically associated with older men and a leisure activity retired men regularly participate in. When the movie continues to the next day, it is obvious it is showing repetition in Arnold and Kay’s day. Kay wakes up, gets ready, cooks her husband one egg and bacon, and he leaves for work. Repetition in one’s day is can also be associated with aging. Young people may be scared that when they get older, life will be boring and lacking spontaneity. The final stereotype that the movie addresses is the thought that older people are stingy with their money. In several instances, Arnold discusses the fact that a vacation will be too expensive, and he is not interested in spending money on anything that is not …show more content…
As depicted in the film by Kay and Arnold, many people believe that older couples sleep in separate bedrooms, avoiding any romantic interactions. While the idea is sometimes true, the majority of couples continue sexual activity regularly. According to one study, 73% of respondent who were between the ages of 57 and 64 were sexually active. While the study showed that sexual activity did decrease with age, 26% of respondents ages 75 to 85 still participated in sexual activity (Lindau et al., 2007). Kay and Arnold, unfortunately, were part of the 27% that did not continue sexual activity. In the film, Kay stated that her and Arnold had not had sex in almost five years. The lack of sex seemed to not bother Arnold, but caused decreased marital satisfaction on Kay’s end. In attempt to restore their relationship, Kay and Arnold attend an intensive couples counseling retreat in Maine. During counseling sessions, the audience learns a lot about the marriage and relationship between Kay and Arnold. The audience learns that even when they did have sex, it was almost always the same and had little variability. They only used one position and Kay rarely had an orgasm. It is also made known that this had always been the case, and was not the result of aging. With the idea that the older population does not participate in sex, the same idea goes with the older