Blog 3: Everyday Sociology

We have an aging population, and as Baby Boomers gradually reach retirement age, there will soon be millions more Americans over 65. There is much more to life as a senior citizen than facelifts or erectile dysfunction medication, yet in contemporary American culture we seldom see full and varied representations of people who happen to be elderly. Why do you think that is?

The text and the post discuss gender socialization. Come up with at least 10 examples of ways that you were socialized as a child to follow the social “rules” of your sex (male or female) as well as the sanctions (both positive and negative) that went along with following or not following those rules. In other words, how were you taught to be a boy or a girl?

Blog 3: Everyday Sociology Answer

In contemporary American culture, we indeed rarely see accurate or realistic representations of people who happen to be elderly. They are usually portrayed in a negative light (e.g. less physical capacity, sickly, vulnerable, and unproductive). I do think it is because stereotypes can simplify or generalize things.  But in this context, it is inaccurate and not really beneficial, especially to the elderly. In terms of media, stereotypes can be a convention for them. I believe these misrepresentations have been going for so long that many have accepted these portrayals as the “norm” in media.