Media Representations of Social Class and Age

Media Representations of Social Class and Age

• Mass media representations of social classes rarely focus on class conflict. Some neo-Marxists suggest media aims to create cultural hegemony, encouraging acceptance of the dominant capitalist class's interests.
• Representations of the Very Rich (Celebrities/Monarchy): Media frequently portrays royalty positively, reinforcing national identity. Criticism of the monarchy was rare until 1997. Recent polls show public disinterest in royal weddings.
• Representations of the Upper Class and Wealth: Upper class and wealthy individuals often receive positive media portrayals. Pluralists argue these representations are justified as they inspire hard work and achievement. Marxists argue these portrayals mask inequalities in wealth & opportunities.
• Representations of the Middle Class: Middle class individuals and concerns are often overrepresented on TV and in media. Many newspapers and magazines target the middle class. The middle class tend to be anxious about moral decline. The middle class dominate positions of authority in some media.
• Representations of the Working Class: Media portrayals are often unflattering or pitying, labeling them with problems or as a social issue. When the working class is featured, organisations often focus on the subject of moral panics or are represented as a problem (e.g. welfare cheats, drug addicts). They are often presented as less intelligent or shallow.
• Representations of Poverty and Underclass: Portrayals of the poor are often negative and stereotypical, sometimes labeling some groups as "chavs". Some researchers suggest the media revels in the suffering of the poor and ignores systemic causes. Media may reinforce the popular view that the poor are responsible for their poverty.
• Age in Media Representations: Media representations of different age groups tend to generalize based on stereotypes, encouraging audiences to accept specific representations in terms of image and behavior as representative of whole groups.
• Representations of Childhood: UK media often portrays British children in positive ways, with recurring stereotypes including child victims of crime, cute, little devils, or brave. However, children from ethnic minorities may be underrepresented.
• Representations of Youth: A significant media industry targets youth for lifestyle marketing. However, youth are often represented as a social problem, potentially linked to a moral panic, through one-dimensional portrayals of negativity or anti-authority behaviour.
• Representations of the Elderly: Old age is often devalued in the media, particularly in advertising. The elderly are underrepresented across a range of media and are frequently stereotyped negatively, portrayed as grumpy, mentally challenged, infantile, or as a burden to society. Recent research suggests that this may be changing slightly as the elderly are recognised as a group with disposable income.

Stereotypes across the Lifespan

• Children: Victims of crime, cute, little devils, brave, intelligent, accessories, modern
• Youth: Negative moral judgements, anti-authority, problems, social/moral panics
• Elderly: Grumpy, mentally challenged, infantile, burden, sometimes as golden agers or active.

Explore how mass media shapes perceptions of different social classes and age groups. This quiz covers issues surrounding the portrayals of the wealthy, upper class, and middle class, as well as the implications of these representations on societal norms and values.