Ethical: Representation of Age

The media are prone to stereotype people based on their age and the group they fall under. Society has categorised us all and therefore, all age ranges consist of various connotations.

Children

Children are mostly represented in a positive way within the way within the media for their innocence and compliance/obedience.

There are a range of stereotypes surrounding children. Some examples are; 

- Cute (babies adverts, adverts involving children)

- 'Little devils' or 'tykes' (riotous/cheeky, generally found in comedy and drama shows, ie. Bart Simpson)

- Brave (terminally ill or disabled)

- Modern (more advanced knowledge for their age in comparison to previous generations)

Evian's clever baby advert.

Youth

Today's youth is divided into two categories, however its more commonly mediated negatively.

Whilst the media industry do tailor products to the 'youngsters', and are trying to socially construct youth in terms of the lifestyle and identity, the way in which they portray this age group is as a social problem.

Social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr all allow youth to share their identities around the world and use these sites for networking with others and for discovering creative side projects.

Youth's portrayal is very much negative in the sense that the media states them as immoral or anti-authority, constantly trying to rebel against discipline and society. Most of this derives from hooded culture, crime, gangs, drugs and alcohol.

These habits have been disapproved by authority, causing a harsher view on the youths.

It's very uncommon or a young person's perspective or opinion to be shared or viewed. The media tend to only deliver a one dimensional picture of today's youth, one that encourages fear rather than understanding.

The cast of 'This Is England' film about 80's skinhead culture.

Elderly

The elderly age are commonly viewed in the media as;

-Grumpy 

- Mentally challenged (decline in mental health)

- Dependent (on family members or carers)

- a Burden (on society, cost wise and family for the worry and care)

- Incapable

Also, female newscasters, such as Anna Ford, have continuously complained about how older men in the public eye are often found to be paired with attractive young females, whilst older women newsreaders are moved to radio. Female actresses are also often related to certain parts once their looks and figures are not what is 'wanted' for show, tragically this seems to be past age 40.

Despite all of this, recent research has suggested that media producers may slowly be changing how they deal with this age group, especially as more are having extra money to spend on consumer goods.

Elderly lady with her carer.