Age Representations in the Media

Question 1

what are the three most stereotyped ages

Answer 1

childhood
youth
elderly

Question 2

what are all 7 stereotypes of children

Answer 2

-cute
-consumers
-little angels
-little devils
-victims
-prodigies
-accessories

Question 3

describe the cute stereotype of childhood and give examples

Answer 3

positive/cute /appealing
eg Matilda, children adverts , Charlie Good Luck Charlie

Question 4

describe the consumer stereotype of childhood and huge it’s theorist and an example

Answer 4

Chandler ; talks about pester power children have against their parents
this often leads to poorer parents getting into debt to please their children
eg Verruca Salt Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, children in TV ads

Question 5

explain the little angels stereotype of children and give examples

Answer 5

presented as innocent
eg Russel from Up and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Question 6

explain the little devil stereotype and give examples

Answer 6

presented as cheeky monkeys and positively represented as funny
eg Kevin Home Alone, Lilo Lilo and Stitch

Question 7

explain the victim stereotype of childhood

Answer 7

often victims of crime
eg Madeline McCann

Question 8

explain the prodigies stereotype of childhood

Answer 8

brilliant at something and praised
eg Matilda, Jack Jack the Incredibles or Billy Elliot

Question 9

explain the accessories stereotype of childhood and give examples

Answer 9

not as interesting individuals in their own right
eg The Kardashian Kids or the Beckhams

Question 10

what did Stan Cohen find about youth representations in the media(3)

Answer 10

-moral panics were created over youth subcultures eg Mods and Rockers fighting at Birmingham beach
-youths turned into folk devils and used as scapegoats
-seen today with ravers and hoodies

Question 11

what did Wayne et al find in regards to representations of youth

Answer 11

-82% of news items including young people focused on violent crime (as perpetrators or victims)
-1% of news items contained young peoples opinions

Question 12

what two theorists studied representations of youth in the media

Answer 12

Stan Cohen
Wayne et al

Question 13

what did Newman find in their study of representations of the elderly in media (3)

Answer 13

-upper /middle class elderly men often portrayed as leaders in elite occupations eg businessmen and news anchors since audiences trust their authority more
-old male newsreaders paired with young females
-older females struggle to find prominent roles unlike older men

Question 14

give the five main stereotypes of the elderly

Answer 14

-grumpy
-burdens
-infantile
-demented or confused
-second childhood

Question 15

explain the grumpy stereotype of elderly people and give examples

Answer 15

well established stereotype
eg TV series Grumpy Old Men followed by Grumpy Old Women

Question 16

explain the burden stereotype of old age and give examples

Answer 16

burdens to families/carers and the economy
eg in covid news

Question 17

explain the infantile stereotype for old age and give examples

Answer 17

-presented childlike in comedies
-eg

Question 18

explain the demented or confused stereotype for old age

Answer 18

-often through dementia, treated seriously or comedically
-eg the dad in After Life

Question 19

explain the second childhood stereotype for old age

Answer 19

-doing things they didn’t do in their youth
-eg the golden girls

Question 20

what two theorists found positive representations of old people in media

Answer 20

Lee et al
Robinson et al

Question 21

explain Lee et al’s study on representations of old age

Answer 21

in adverts are represented positively as healthy,active and wise people enjoying a golden age

Question 22

explain Robinson et als study in media representations of old age

Answer 22

-adverts showed older people as vibrant and intelligent, adverts that poked fun at older people not well liked by any age group