Representations of Age in Media

This page examines how children, teenagers, and elderly people are portrayed in media.

Children's media representations have evolved over time. By the 1900s, mass media portrayed childhood as a time of innocence and vulnerability. However, modern portrayals vary between showing children as "little angels" or highlighting badly behaved children.

Example: The TV show Supernanny focuses on children with behavioral issues, contrasting with more idealized portrayals.

Seven common media stereotypes of children were identified:

1. Kids as victims
2. Cute kids
3. Little devils
4. Kids are brilliant
5. Kids as accessories
6. "Kids these days"
7. Little angels

Teenagers face largely negative portrayals in media. Research shows they are often criminalized and associated with violence, while rarely being given a voice to express their opinions on important issues.

Quote: "Wayne et al found that just 1% of all news featured teen's opinions, leading society to see them as being problematic and to be feared."

Elderly people are underrepresented in media. When they are shown, it's often through limiting stereotypes like the "golden-agers" - active older people enjoying life, or wise grandparents. Negative stereotypes portray them as incompetent or in poor health.

Highlight: Media portrayals of age groups can significantly impact societal perceptions and treatment of different generations.

Representations of Gender in Media

This page analyzes how men and women are portrayed across various media formats.

Women's media representations have improved over time but still face issues. Different feminist perspectives offer critiques:

• Liberal feminists argue portrayals lag behind social and economic realities for women
• Marxist feminists see stereotypical portrayals as profit-driven by male-dominated media conglomerates
• Radical feminists believe media uses traditional femininity to subordinate women
• Postmodern feminists identify a new popular feminism promoting assertiveness and independence

Vocabulary: Hegemonic - Dominant or influential, especially in relation to social or political ideas.

Some sociologists argue female portrayals have become more positive in the last 25 years, showing women as ambitious and career-oriented. Advertisements now depict women as active, independent agents rather than passive objects.

Men are represented more frequently in media, often in higher status roles. Traditional masculinity based on strength and aggression is common, but some media promotes a "new man" ideal embracing emotional vulnerability and active fatherhood.

Definition: Retributive masculinity - Reasserting traditional masculine ideals in response to changing gender norms.

Highlight: While gender representation in media has evolved, many problematic stereotypes and imbalances persist for both men and women.