Being old is not wearisome, it is being stereotyped
This article discusses the steriotypes associated with elderly people that are not always true, like being slow, forgettful, and afraid of technology.
"Stereotypes are sweeping generalisations applied to an entire group of people and, in this case, they are most definitely destructive." Many elderly people don't fit those steriotypes. They are being misrepresented in advertising, TV shows and movies, "..the concept of ''ageing'' carries predominantly negative connotations".
In many family movies and in mainstream media there is an elderly person that they make fun of for being old and have portrayed them as extremely slow, annoying and useless. Many films tend to portray elderly people in a way that is offensive to them and this can affect how they see themselves. Younger adults also see this portrayal of elderly people and begin to fear getting old and being this slow, inactive person.
"advertising should start depicting older people as normal people living normal lives, in roles that should reduce the fear associated with the portrayal of older people as victims." This would allow people to see that getting older doesn't mean your life is over! Many elderly people are in extremely good shape and are doing things anyone else can do. These steriotypes should not mold the image of the future for young people. A change in media portrayal can have a strong effect on this fear that has been forming in many people's minds from a young age from the misrepresentation of what getting old will be like.
Just look at this old man living life.
I agree with you completely! I think it's unfair that the media portrays the elderly in a mannerism that constructs our fear of aging. Old people are depicted as bitter, unhappy, and extremely dissatisfied with life. Media should represent the elderly as embracing a new stage of their lives, not that aging is this destructive, life-bludgeoning force that will consume every ounce of happiness in our lives. I also agree that advertising should focus on the adaptiveness of the elderly and how they are enjoying themselves just as much as any other age group has the ability to.
ReplyDelete