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Writer's pictureNick Saward

Representations of Old People


Trash Boat's song "He's so good" uses the music video to reinforce stereotypes of older people being judgemental. It's about parents disapproval towards having gay children and not being accepting. In the past, this was definitely more common as sexuality wasn't talked about much in their generations however now this isn't the case for everyone and could be somewhat damaging to parents who hear this as they are stereotyped and it's not an accurate representation of every person it is just generalised and as the topic gets talked about more parents are arguably overall more accepting. Obviously, we are aware through other media that parents do still disapprove of their children however we have progressed more and more parents are accepting so this is overall not the most realistic view. It repeats the image of a father and child with their hands over each other's mouths looking angry at each other and another of a father shouting at his son to reinforce the stereotype and shows this will be how parents act which is negative.


The second media text that represents older people is The best exotic marigold hotel. The representations in this are more complex. It still has certain features of stereotypes like an older woman who is racist suggesting they are still stuck in their ways however the film does also contain more progressive stereotypes and challenges certain views as a group of retired people are travelling to India, firstly this challenges people's views that older people are seen as being quite boring as they've used their savings to travel and for most see a new place suggesting they are adventurous and are just like a lot of younger generations who want to go and see the world only they are doing it now after they have retired and possibly finally have the time for it. A few of them are there for a new beginning which goes against what a lot of people think old people are like and instead presents them as exciting and adventurous which isn't something we see in the media a lot.


During the covid pandemic, the news and newspaper in general reinforced the stereotype of old people being vulnerable and constructed this idea further, to an extent of ageism. It is clear from the data that elderly people were more likely to get covid and develop health problems and die from the virus but every other generation would also have that risk of developing health issues too so it is everyone's part to be safe to protect each other but through this they created a view that older people are vulnerable and also weak.




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