Age & the Media

L.O:To know the different representations of age through then

media

ONCE UPON A TIME!

Up until the 15thcenturychildren were viewed aslow status members ofthe family. Childrenwere seen as peopleWho should be ‘seenand not heard.’ Workingclass children were

seenas somewhat a financialburden until they canwork.

TODAY!

In today’s society therole of the child is more

dominant within thehousehold. It tends to

be the child thatmakes the family.

Family life tends to becentred around the

children.

This is where we now have separate stages in the life

course.

Childhood

Youth

Adulthood

Old Age

Media Representation of Age

• McQueen (1998)• The status of different age groups is

determined by economic circumstances in Western society.

• Those in the middle (adults) have the most status

• Any ideas as to why you think that is?

Childhood – Helpless/Innocent

Youth – Irresponsible/Rebellious

Adulthood – Responsible/Conformist

Old Age – Vulnerable/Burdan

McQueen identifies the results from a study on children's

television. • Commercial Strand – children are targeted as consumers of

cartoons and action programmes.

• Public Service Strand – educational programmes.

• Adult Strand – Acknowledges children like adult programmes

• Which strand do you think is in decline and which do you think is growing?

Pearson (1983) identified representations of youth.

• Youth tends to be depicted as a ‘problem’ in the media. There is always a ‘GOLDEN Age’ which is normally around 20years ago which the media tends to compare current youth with. However Pearson found that no matter what the date it is always 20 years ago when this ‘golden age’ was.

1950’s

McQueen – Representation of the Elderly

• 11% of the population who is aged over 65 only 2.3% of them are represented in the media. When the elderly are shown middle class white men are more likely to be presented than women.

• Who does view point does this research support?

Do you agree with these depictions of age?

Discuss

AGEISM?

Challenging Age Stereotypes!!!

• http://www.mediaknowall.com/as_alevel/alevkeyconcepts/alevelkeycon.php?pageID=age