Aging, Media, and Culture

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Description

The intersections of aging, media, and culture are under-explored given trends in population aging, rapid increases in the mediation of everyday life, and the growing cultural significance of media consumption at the global level. This book brings together an international collection of critical scholars, both well-established and up-and-coming, from the various academic disciplines that share a common interest in the future study of aging and media. This anthology of original articles integrates aging theory and media studies through a study of core issues including the medias influence on the construction of old age, the reciprocal influence of aging on media industries, age-based identities in a mediated world, issues of gender and sexuality in an aging society, and the practical implications of a more integrated approach between the two fields. The chapters explore the intersections between aging and media in the realms of advertising/marketing, television, film, music, celebrity and social media, among others.

Reviews

The authors provide unique perspectives of aging across the life span, and support their comments with communication research findings. . . .The content could be an excellent platform for group discussions and recommendations for innovative methods for research, interventions and development of policies on aging issues. In addition, the text would be a valuable resource for studying the lives of future aging generations that are greatly influenced by the media and virtual realities. * Anthropology & Aging *
In Aging, Media, and Culture, celebrities confront their aging selves and deadheads shift gears to cause gendered life-course changes. This anthology offers intriguing insights into everyday social life in postmodernity by building on and integrating the disparate literatures of gerontological and communication theories. -- W. Andrew Achenbaum, University of Houston
Media and the marketplace generate powerful cultural signals about aging, which we consume as we make and manage our aging identities. From television and film to print, music, and social media, the authors illustrations reveal just how potent these images and messages are in shaping what it means to become and be old in America. -- Richard A. Settersten, Oregon State University

Author Bio

C. Lee Harrington is professor of sociology and affiliate of the Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Miami University. Denise D. Bielby is professor of sociology and affiliated faculty in the Department of Film & Media Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Anthony R. Bardo is a doctoral candidate in social gerontology at Miami University.