How the Media Views the Elderly
Written Assignment #1
Shady Aumiller
SOC644: Sociology of Aging
The elderly population is at an all-time high in the United States. As the population continues to grow the concern for the elderly becomes an important social issue. People gain guidance on social roles predominantly through the media and are often times manipulated by the images they see in magazines, television programs, and advertisements. Too often we just accept the media’s portrayal of the elderly’s role in society. Media tends to emphasize youthfulness, beauty, as well as physical and emotional health. The potential influence children are exposed to through the media makes a profound impact on the attitudes of adolescent toward the …show more content…
This portrayal of elderly in the media can not only affect a young person’s attitude toward the elderly, but can also affect the way that the elderly view themselves. The media caters mainly toward children, teens, adolescents, and adults but not necessarily toward the elderly. The lack of media attention or exposer on the role of the elderly in society has made them almost nonexistent and leaves the impression that the elder generation does not matter. They no longer have a significant contribution to society. On the other hand, when the elderly are portrayed through the media, we often find a false depiction is made. The media often paints a negative picture of what old age really looks like. These false depictions allow in turn negative stereotypes to be formed against the elderly. When watching television, whether a sitcom, movie, or even a commercial you will likely find the elderly are portrayed as; immobile, not interested in sex or lacking a sex drive, as care takers of grandchildren, has having poor eyesight, hearing loss, obnoxious and outspoken, unable to care for themselves, a
Written Assignment #1
Shady Aumiller
SOC644: Sociology of Aging
The elderly population is at an all-time high in the United States. As the population continues to grow the concern for the elderly becomes an important social issue. People gain guidance on social roles predominantly through the media and are often times manipulated by the images they see in magazines, television programs, and advertisements. Too often we just accept the media’s portrayal of the elderly’s role in society. Media tends to emphasize youthfulness, beauty, as well as physical and emotional health. The potential influence children are exposed to through the media makes a profound impact on the attitudes of adolescent toward the …show more content…
This portrayal of elderly in the media can not only affect a young person’s attitude toward the elderly, but can also affect the way that the elderly view themselves. The media caters mainly toward children, teens, adolescents, and adults but not necessarily toward the elderly. The lack of media attention or exposer on the role of the elderly in society has made them almost nonexistent and leaves the impression that the elder generation does not matter. They no longer have a significant contribution to society. On the other hand, when the elderly are portrayed through the media, we often find a false depiction is made. The media often paints a negative picture of what old age really looks like. These false depictions allow in turn negative stereotypes to be formed against the elderly. When watching television, whether a sitcom, movie, or even a commercial you will likely find the elderly are portrayed as; immobile, not interested in sex or lacking a sex drive, as care takers of grandchildren, has having poor eyesight, hearing loss, obnoxious and outspoken, unable to care for themselves, a