Media seems to portray elderly people as incompetent in doing normal daily tasks. Things such as driving and even walking become difficult. Although in certain cases this can be true, there are many that still do some of the things that they did in their younger years. We assume because they are old that they are no longer attractive or smart and are completely dependent upon the younger generation. And because of the generation difference and how fast technology is evolving, we also make the assumption that they don't know how to use technology. Typically after the age of 65 the media does not see the need for older actresses/actors. They are misrepresented by the lack of representation thereof.
This video represents well how the media has depicted the aging process. I am not going to lie, I think it can be pretty funny sometimes but when we see things like this, it's like we single them out disregarding all the 80 year olds that are running marathons or working full-time.
This video depicts an elderly couple struggling to work with technology.
Here is another great video which is quite comical about the stereotypes that we create for the older population.
Madonna also had taken a stance against ageism saying that it discrimination against the elderly is just like another form of racism or sexism. Saying that a woman can no longer "be sexy" at an old age is degrading and unfair.
Another great source is this website discussing the specific stereotypes that the media has for the elderly. We typically consider them as helpless victims who can't do anything for themselves. http://www.agingwatch.com/?p=439
This study is a great source showing the misrepresentation of the elderly through the media. It states that typically the news broadcasting stations quit hiring after a certain age because of the demand of the public for new faces.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=sociologyfacpub
This way to view elderly people limits them from sometimes wanting to pursue new things. I fosters this idea that they don't have to try anymore because people already assume the worst of them. For example, my grandmother has just given up on the new technology because she thinks she will never be able to understand. Then there are others who have passed me while running races or are high score video game record holders.
From each of these sources, I have discovered that we degrade the elderly population thinking that they are helpless victims, dumb, boring, and un-attractive when on many levels it is the opposite. The elderly are typically very smart because of the many years and life experience they have to back them up.
I definitely have found myself falling into this way of thinking about the elderly. However, just yesterday I visited my 102 year old great grandma who still is very sharp and was amazed at the stories she told. We have a lot we can learn from these peoples' experiences and shouldn't look down upon them.
ReplyDeleteNice analysis. I have noticed this about elderly people too and I think its sad because they are the best. I love old peeps and I just think they are so cute and that we have a lot to learn from them. I wonder, though, if my thinking that they are cute is another way of indirectly discriminating against them. Cute is usually associated kids and babies. Just another interesting observation.
ReplyDeleteI've also thought about this a lot. I wonder how people who contribute to this single story will feel when they are older and they experience this kind of discrimination.
ReplyDeleteMy dad is 68 years old. From all of the retirement home brochures that we receive in the mail, I can assume that the world already recognizes him as "elderly" and therefore in need of so much explanation and assistance. Yet, he remains one of the most knowledgable and interesting people I know! Thank you for your analysis!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally guilty of slightly discriminating against the elderly for driving slow, etc. Sometimes I forget that there is so much more to them and how much knowledge and history they have. They're really the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! It is interesting how society tends to disrespect the group to which we owe the most respect. Expressing gratitude and appreciation are often sacrificed for cheap humor.
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