Ageism

How are the Elderly Presented in the Media?

 
If this quote above were true, we would live in a completely different world. but as a society as a whole, we are obsessed with the idea of being young forever. Once you start gaining wrinkles and grey hair, you aren’t worth as much anymore. Commercials bombarded the older generation and make them feel that they aren’t enough the way they are, they must be looking as young as possible.

Our society is so consumed with looking youthful that people will do whatever it takes to look as young as possible. With Botox, make up, face lift, and more, the media emphasizes that being old isn’t glamorous 

They dont want to be viewed as they aged what so ever, and that they are still considered beautiful.

Also, when looking at commericals, older individuals are viewed as weak, absendminded, dependant. Being old isn't something to celebrate, it is something to chage.



In this coke commerical, the older individuals are okay. Their lives are amazing or fun, they are just living. Its not until they drink the product thta they instintly become young, and happy again. This product is displaying how being old is a hasle and something that needs to be changed in order to have a good life.

In the two commercials featured above, it shows that elders aren't up to par with the rest of society. They are either to weak to be alone, or they have no idea how social media works. Those are two main things that we strive on as well. People should be able to be dependent, and also have a means of communicating with other. Putting elders down in such a way is demeaning to that generation.

In conclusion, I think this commercial is something to learn off of. Yes, the older generation are different from the younger generation. But that doesn't mean that we should throw them away or belittle them. As a society, we should learn from our elders. They have lived long lives, with so much information that we aren't aware of yet.

Is the Media Homophobic? Presentations of Gays and Lesbians in the Media

Gay and Lesbians weren't in the media for a very long time. Even now, when looking at commercials, TV shows, or another form of media, homosexuals are not a main topic. Homosexuality in media is hard to find. It’s almost a taboo topic that isn’t brought up very often. There might be hints of it, but there isn't many solely focus on it. There are only a few shows now a days that have regular homosexuals on the episodes. One of which is Glee. This Show features a few homosexual couples.

The two most promenate are these two featured above. In the show, the characters struggle with bulling, but they always come out on top. They are considered strong for being able to "come out" and embrace who they truly are. 

When looking at this subject as a whole, I found that homosexuals are much more "acceptable" in todays standards than in the past. In a new TV show on MTV, it follows around two teenage lesbians and their lives through high school.

In this show, they are looked up too. Even to the point of winning homecoming queen and everyone wanting to be their friends. This is definitely a change from earlier years.

But, in the 1990s it was a completely different view. There was a talk show that featured a gay man, with a very flamboyant attitude.

The way he is portrayed is completely different to the way gays are portrayed today. They are feminine, but not over the top like him. 

Even though homosexuals aren't in the media as much, they are still given certain stereotypes.

Gay men don't all have to be feminine, wear girl things, and love to go shopping. On the other side of it, lesbians aren't always manly, tough, or butch looking. The stereotypes in the media put on a negative view toward these people groups.

Media isn't necessarily homophobic, but they don't put out a real image of who they are. They also don't have enough homosexuals in the media either. They need to be seen and heard more and not pushed down to being less than others.