This document discusses representations of different age groups in media, specifically TV drama. It provides examples of stereotypical qualities and adjectives used to describe babies/toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged people, and the elderly. It also discusses how certain age groups, such as teenagers and the elderly, are often portrayed in stereotypical ways in media. Examples of TV shows aimed at different age groups, like Skins for teenagers, are given.

1. • Look at the media figures you have been
given.
• Place adjectives on a media celebrity that you
feel describes their age.
• How old are they?
Do Now!

2. Age-when are we happiest?
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5645800/W

3. Representation of Age
in TV Drama
Learning Objective:
To explore how different age groups
are represented in the media,
specifically TV Drama.

4. Age representation-starter
• Task: With your partner list the stereotypical qualities
of one of these age groups.
• What adjectives could be used to describe them?
• Babies and toddlers
• Primary Children
• Teenagers
• 20 – 30 year olds
• Middle age- 40-55?
• Elderly- 60+
• Now think about media examples in the age

6. The elderly
• Discussion point: The elderly are
often represented in the media as
being weak, vulnerable and needy?

7. Age construction
• Remember all fictional characters presented in the media
are ‘re-presentations!
• They have been constructed as a product of someone's
imagination.
• They all offer a certain view of what it is to be that
particular age.
• Question: Which age are most commonly seen
on TV?
• 35-45
• Why?
• Because that is the age group that make most of the
decisions in power!

8. Teenagers
in the media
• List some stereotypes of teenagers.
• Lazy
• Moody
• Argumentative
• Immature
• Irresponsible
• Confused
• Aggressive
• Rebellious
• Ignorant
• Threatening
• Creative
• Ambitious
• Focussed
• Formative development into adulthood- ‘finding yourselves’

9. Teenage Representation in TV drama
• Which TV dramas are specifically aimed at
teenagers?
• What TV dramas feature teenagers heavily?
• Do these dramas accurately reflect teenage life?

10. Analysis
Watch this clip from Waterloo Road and make
notes on the following:
• How the different age groups are constructed.
• The relationships between age groups
• The way the technical aspects assist our
understanding of age.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHj9aavgpvQ&index=11&list=

11. ‘Eastenders’- a wide audience
• Eastenders more than any other show on UK TV feels it has a responsibility to
represent everyone. Why?
• Because it is a BBC programme and therefore funded by our licence fee. The
BBC must be seen to fairly represent all of us regardless of gender, ethnicity,
age etc.
• Therefore Eastenders has a variety of characters to appeal to a variety of
demographics. The spin off show ‘E20’ was an attempt to win back the youth
market who were said to be not as interested in the show.
• It is one of the few programmes that gives elderly characters a prominent voice.
• Task: Watch this clip and write down two adjectives to describe the elderly
characters.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oshePdbkk2Y

12. • Feedback to class in groups.
• Homework:
• ‘How is age constructed in the scene from
Waterloo Road and how are stereotypes
conformed or subverted to’.
• 400 words min.

13. Skins
• Skins (E4) was said to be an attempt to offer a
more realistic representation of teenage life in
Britain today.
• It centres on the lives of a group of 16 – 19 year
olds living in Bristol.
• Some critics claimed that show depicted teenagers
stereotypically and unrealistically others praised
the show for showing teenagers in a more adult
fashion and not treating them like little kids.