For this assignment I wanted to look at how the U.S. media portrayed the Japanese Elderly specifically. I know that in general the Asian culture respects and looks up to their Elderly, and I wanted to see how that contrasts with our society. The main story that I found being told in the media here is that the Japanese Elderly are resilient, hard-working, smart, and healthy. The first image here comes from various news agencies such as Businessweek and NBC news, showing a bunch of Japanese seniors working out together.
By looking at this specific picture you can see the confidence radiating from this ladies figure. This picture alone to me conveys the idea that the Japanese elderly are strong-willed, and determined in their old age. Even the lady to her right hunched over a bit is going at it like a pro. The fact that all these people are grouped together conveys the idea that they are united with a single purpose in mind.
While searching online I also found that most of the stories appearing on the news is also representing this idea that all the Japanese Elderly are so hard-working and strong willed that they won't stop working until they die. This news story in particular also expresses the idea that almost all of the elderly in Japan are healthy and aren't considered a "burden" on their children.
This story continues to be expressed with various images being circulated in our culture depicting Japanese Elderly continuing to engage in sports and other recreational activities. Images such as these may depict the Japanese Elderly as younger than ever, but they are very limiting as well. There are a lot of Japanese Elderly that are in fact sick, struggling with health, and poor. This image also may cause us Americans to think even less of our Elderly class that is portrayed in our media as weak and inferior or as a "burden". While the portrayal of the Japanese Elderly as a strong, vibrant people, may be true, it still does not express the other struggles, problems, and many issues that they face in an increasingly diverse and complex world.
I have always been fascinated how the Asian elderly are treated with so much respect and revered by their children. I think for the main part a lot of this is true but I have also seen Asian grandchildren try and take advantage of their grandparents and they totally cave
It would be interesting to know statistics of healthy Asians or Japanese in comparison to Americans. Cause I've thought the same, as you said, that they are vibrant and upbeat even at an old age. Cool analysis
I think we need to treat our Elderly like the Japanese!!
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. Even giving a group a "good" stereotype like being healthy can have negative effects.
ReplyDeleteI think this applies to every Asian country. Filipino's are totally the same way.
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated how the Asian elderly are treated with so much respect and revered by their children. I think for the main part a lot of this is true but I have also seen Asian grandchildren try and take advantage of their grandparents and they totally cave
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to know statistics of healthy Asians or Japanese in comparison to Americans. Cause I've thought the same, as you said, that they are vibrant and upbeat even at an old age. Cool analysis
ReplyDelete