Media Representations of Age Flashcards
are children represented positively or negatively?
positively
what are 6 common portrayals of children in the media?
-cute
-little devils
-brilliant
-brave little angels
-accessories
-modern
give details on HEINTZ KNOWLES study?
-study of children on American tv
-found that children were often portrayed as motivated by peer relationships, sports, romance, community, school-related, religious issues
-representations are positive and show them engaging in pro-social actions
what has media representations of children shifted from and to?
from= an adults pov
to= featuring issues from a child’s pov
what did EVANS and CHANDLER say about media representations of children?
-children are represented in tv commercials in ways that socialise them to become active consumers
-this has lead to pester power (children can manipulate parents to spend money on consumer goods)
are youths portrayed positively or negatively in the media?
both positively and negatively
what are the two ways that youths are represented in the media?
1- shaping identity
2- negativity
what is meant by the media shaping the identities of the youths?
the media industry is aimed at socially constructing youth (lifestyle and identity)
what is meant by negativity caused by the media in youths?
the youth are portrayed by news media as social problems, immoral or anti-authority
what did Wayne et al research show?
-analysis of 2,130 news items across all main tv channels during May 2006
-found that 286 stories focused on young people, with 82% of these focusing on the young people as victims and perpetrators of violent crime
-the youth are represented as a threat to society
what does the labelling theory say about youth representation in the media?
young people are frequently labelled by older generations as a threat to social stability because the often challenge their authority. Media representations and moral panics that often result from these are attempts to social control
what do pluralists say about youth representation in the media?
they argue that media representations reflect social reality (young people commit more crime and deviance than any other groups). They also say that criminal behaviour is news worthy and so people want to read it, meaning that it sells
are the elderly represented positively or negatively?
both negatively and positively, depending on gender.
how does gender interact with old age in the media?
-positive way for men, as they continue to play lead roles despite their age
-females are often relegated to character parts when they are perceived to ‘be on the wane.’ (after 40)
what does the charity AgeConcern argue about how the elderly are represented in the media?
-old age is devalued by some parts of the media industry
-the elderly are underrepresented in general across mass media, with media portrayals being ageist
