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Reference: Markov , Č, & Yoon , Y. (2021). Diversity and age stereotypes in portrayals of older adults in popular American primetime television series. Ageing and Society , 41 (12) , 2747 - 2767. doi:10.1017/S0144686X20000549

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Nearly 7 % of prime - time television shows depict adults older than 60 years old . H ow do filmmakers present them ? Researchers examined 112 episodes of popular American television series between 2004 - 2018. They selected TV programs according to the highest Nielsen ratings in fiction series, regardless of genre. T wo coders recorded the characters’ age, social class and other characteristics, along with speaking role, and role prominence. The coders focused specifically on characters 65 and older, assessing cues such as physical appearance and character role. The researchers categorized older characters as young - old, middle - old, or old - old. Results? Primetime TV rarely features older adults . Younger older adults outnumber the middle - old s or old - old s. Male characters outnumber women . Approximately 90% of characters are Caucasian and 9% African American. Nearly 75% are middle - class, 8% upper class, and 8% lower class. Few characters have disabilities. This study reflects the need to broaden how Primetime TV portrays older adults. Let’s have more elderly depicted, plus a wider variety of ages, ethnicity, and disability, especially since our population is aging ! We can all learn from older adults in character roles giving us wisdom!

Written by Kristin M . Harris, Ph.D.