For our “Debunking Ageist Myths” project, I decided to center my project on stereotypes concerning older adults in the movie industry. Inaccurate depictions of older adults are constantly shown in films, tv shows, and commercials. Stereotypes range from two extremes- from “that grumpy old man” to “sweet old lady”- there is hardly room for anything in between. However, negative portrayals of an older adult’s personality are not the only misconceptions. The movie industry is an ageist industry- actors and actresses do anything in their power to stay young because major roles are predominately for youth actors. Older characters in films are one-dimensional, secondary, and stagnant in personality. The story of an aging adult is hardly told and are often forgotten in cinema. Like any industry, the audience popularizes trends and as a result, shifts the way media portrays the world. If we, as an individual, were to be more accepting of the aging process and see older adults as ‘us’ rather than ‘them’, intergenerational relationships will commence. If we, as a consumer, were to be angered about how ageist films portray characters, then there will be a demand of how media and pop culture depict this population of people. The power of change begins with the individual.
|
Elizza Elaine VillarruelArchives
June 2020
Categories |