The vulnerable old-old versus the dynamic young-old: recurring types in the representation of older people on television

Abstract

Research shows that older people tend to not only be underrepresented on television (TV), but also to be represented within a number of fixed types. These correspond to cultural myths about ageing, which emphasise vulnerability and decline but also increasingly stress the individual's responsibility for successful ageing. This paper analyses the representation of older people on Flemish public TV, using qualitative content analysis to identify patterns of representation in a sample of 44 programmes broadcast in 2019 and 2020, including the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. To complement our own analysis, we also interviewed eight experts on ageing. Our research shows that representations of older people on Flemish public TV tend to gravitate towards two types related to different age groups: vulnerable and passive old-old people (over 80 years old), particularly those in nursing homes who feature prominently in reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic; and dynamic and active young-old people (65–80 years old), connected to the ideals of successful ageing. The two predominant types correspond to cultural myths about ageing and are also connected to recurrent themes: sexual intimacy, loneliness and death. Our research highlights the need for a more diverse representation, reflecting the variety of individual life conditions and the functional age of older people.

Social Image of Old Age, Gendered Ageism and Inclusive Places: Older People in the Media

“…Along the same lines, previous studies on media images of old age report that older people are an under-represented group and that they are often subject to stereotypical representations [ 27 , 43 ]. These stereotypes contribute to reinforcing a homogeneous and ageist view of old age based on decline, vulnerability, and fragility by linking older people to three main topics: problems with health, sexuality, and death [ 44 ]. Evidence of this is found in the striking prevalence of disability-related content from 2008 and particularly 2009, the early years of the radio program.…”

“…Recent studies have also noted the emergence of another media profile that is more related to successful ageing [ 44 ]. This is based on other pre-existing conceptions [ 49 ] and positive stereotypes regarding older people, such as that they are friendly but incompetent [ 50 ].…”

“…This is based on other pre-existing conceptions [ 49 ] and positive stereotypes regarding older people, such as that they are friendly but incompetent [ 50 ]. However, it is also noteworthy that this conception places a large part of the burden in terms of ageing well on older people themselves, again exemplifying a single, homogeneous view of how one should age satisfactorily [ 44 ]. Both negative attitudes and those that imply some kind of positivity therefore may have adverse impacts.…”

Socioeconomic differences in digital inequality among Chinese older adults: Results from a nationally representative sample

“…Despite stereotypes portraying older adults as digitally incompetent, research indicates that older adults (including old-old adults) can meaningfully engage with digital technologies when conditions allow [ 19 , 20 ]. Empirical evidence shows differences between young-old and old-old adults were noted in various settings, such as psychological well-being [ 21 ], healthcare utilisation [ 22 ], and media representations [ 23 ]. However, digital inequality in various old age groups is yet to be determined.…”

“It’s Just [Complicated] Sleep”: Discourses of Sleep and Aging in the Media

“…Representations of older age are not homogeneous, they work to separate those who are merely older from those who are too old ( Gilleard & Higgs, 2016 ). Active and productive older people are differentiated from vulnerable, passive, and dependent older people ( O’Neill & Ní Léime, 2022 ; Reul et al, 2022 ). Swacha (2017) found two dominant metaphors for aging contained in public health discourse: ‘aging as pathology’ where aging is viewed as undesirable and something to be cured; and “aging is ageless,” where people can live as if they are not aging by demonstrating levels of activity, health, and productivity associated with younger people ( Swacha, 2017 ).…”