This week, I thought it was really interesting to read the Issues in Aging textbook for class by Mark Novak to begin thinking about the many negative stereotypes that currently exist for aging people, such as that they have been portrayed in various ways as forgetful, grouchy, ignorant, timid, physically unable to do things, ugly, mentally weak, poor, sick, victims of crime, helpless, dependent, decrepit, lonely, sad, lacking in quality of life, etc. In my own examination of the media, I would say that the elderly and those with disabilities are not necessarily always negatively stereotyped so much as they are largely overlooked and underrepresented.
I browsed various magazines at my local library and doctor’s office and at home, such as Runners World, Essence, InStyle, Family Fun, Cooking with Paula Dean, Christianity Today, Popular Science, Sports Illustrated, AARP, Backpacker, Climbing, Martha Stewart Living, Afar, and Golf Magazine. I would say that in most cases magazines disproportionately cover younger people and those without disabilities, unless it is a magazine with an older audience, such as obviously AARP. In AARP, it showed three healthy older women who were happily biking together that reminded me of my dad who is 65 and bikes every day for about 16 miles. It also showed older people traveling that reminded me of my aunt and uncle who are both retired and like to travel. There was also an advertisement in the AARP magazine for a facelift operation to remain looking young. The Issues in Aging textbook book mentioned the possibility that in coming years, the media could go to the other extreme and portray aging people as overly youthful and set unrealistic, unattainable standards of “remaining young.” Golf Magazine and Christianity Today both showed older people as leaders and mentors. I know awhile back I remember reading an article in Runners World about a woman who ran fifty marathons after turning 50 and possibly an occasional article about a person with a disability, but a majority of magazine articles did not seem to very frequently represent either.
I found that the local newspaper and TV news stations seemed to be a bit more well-rounded. They showed older individuals as community advocates, as involved in churches, as having a high quality of life, as senators and political figures, etc. Commercials showed older individuals as homeowners, as in some cases needing a homecare worker to assist them in remaining in their home, and in one ad negatively as uninformed voters. I did not see any coverage of those with disabilities, but at various times in the past I know they have been in various local news stories. As with magazines, I would say that newspapers and TV news stations could cover more stories about aging individuals and those with disabilities. Recently, especially, I would have liked to have seen the Paralympics fully covered as the Olympics were. Those in the Paralympics are impressive, hard-core, devoted / driven athletes. Personally, I did not see the Paralympics at all on TV, but was able to follow some coverage online. I think if more people saw the Paralympics, it would positively influence how they perceive individuals with disabilities. I know that viewing some of the Paralympics online this year had a positive influence on me.
For looking at TV and movies, I mostly reflected on some of my past favorites. For TV shows, I do not watch a ton but thought of a few. Everybody Loves Raymond shows his parents humorously and somewhat negatively as demanding and dependent. I reflected on how American Idol is limited to younger singers whereas in Britain’s Got Talent anyone can audition, and not long ago Susan Boyle made it big on that show as a gracious, beautiful, singing queen who was at first in her audition was prejudged as a somewhat older woman who lived alone with her cats before surprising the world, a reminder not to sell someone short based on age or initial impressions. I also thought about Boy Meets World and how Mr. Feeny is portrayed both humorously and at times stereotypically by his young students and at other times he is shown as a respected mentor. Sometimes cooking shows, such as Cupcake Wars have older bakers who are shown as talented. As far as films go, Soul Surfer that came out not too long ago shows realistically how renowned surfer Bethany Hamilton deals with the loss of her arm following a shark attack and the ups and downs and challenges that come with that. The movie Front of the Class is based on a true story of a teacher with Tourette’s Syndrome. Another movie that I really like is Anne of Green Gables, and in that particular movie, there are quite a few older people with varied personalities who are shown positively and realistically and as kindred spirits. In another movie I really like, The Rogue Stallion, one of the main characters walks with a limp and is sometimes put down for that, but that does not stop him from courageously standing up to his own family and community on behalf of others and what he knows is right. There is an older man in that movie who lives in the woods and is rumored to be a ghost, but the main characters are friends with him, and he is actually a kind man who helps take care of animals. The movie Airborne portrays the one older couple somewhat more humorously and negatively stereotyped, but at the same time, it does also portray positively that they care about their son and nephew. Overall again though, I would venture to say that those with disabilities and aging populations are underrepresented in TV shows and movies.
Hopefully, down the road, aging individuals and those with disabilities will be portrayed more frequently and positively and realistically in the media, so that we can all grow in understanding about various disabilities and the later stages of life and grow in friendships and in appreciation for others. Every person is so unique and has a life story to tell.
I wish that I had more quality time to spend on this particular assignment to explore more in depth how the aging and those with disabilities are portrayed. I know that I have only brushed the surface. But I do know that from here on out in my own life, I will go forward with new eyes in how I see the world around me. I will notice more and be less oblivious. This reminds me a lot how my summer with the Montana Conservation Corps changed me for the better and gave me a greater appreciation and awareness for environmental issues. It is not that I did not care before, but I did not pay as much attention or notice as much as I do now. I want to continue to grow in caring more deeply about God and the world around me and the people in it and to grow in seeing the world more clearly as I journey through this life.