How people of different ages are portrayed in media, highlighting stereotypes of youth or old age.
Older people are often shown in the media in a way that repeats the same ideas. They are sometimes shown as being hard of hearing, grumpy, or less able than they used to be, again creating a negative stereotype.
Getting older is often shown as a bad thing, especially in adverts that sell anti-aging products. These adverts make it seem like ageing is something to fight against or hide. In comedy, characters like Nan from The Catherine Tate Show are shown as rude and bad-tempered which is a joke based on common ideas about older people.
However, not all media portrays older people in a negative way. Some films show them as strong, interesting, and full of life. For example, in the action films Red and Red 2, older characters are still active and do exciting things. They are not shown as weak or tired. Instead, they are tough and brave, which is very different from the usual stereotype.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel also presents older people in a more realistic way. The characters have emotions, build friendships, and even fall in love - just like younger people do in romantic films. This helps to show that growing older does not mean life stops being fun or meaningful.
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