OLD AGE STEREOTYPES

AGE ESSAY

The explosion at the start of the extract links to Gerbner’s cultivation theory that because young are stereotypically involved in crime it indoctrinates the public into thinking all crime is the fault of the youth. This thinks to the explosion as the audience will think that the lunch hall has exploded due to the youth. The contrast in sound of the screaming children and the calm children links to Acland’s theory (1995) where the behaviour of adults and the youth completely differs. This also links to Ann Gould’s stereotype that youth are self-destructive as the screaming represents danger and stereotypically it’s a danger that youth get themselves into. Near the end of the extract one of the young girls tells her boyfriend ‘I’m pregnant.’ This links to the stereotype that youth are reckless and naive as they are inexperienced about how the world works how will she be able to raise a child.

The use of fake blood on some of the children reinforces the negative stereotype that youth are vulnerable. This is not a fair representation of young people as nowadays quite a lot of young people are independent to adults in some scenarios.  The use of the wet paper towel prop is a counter stereotype that young people are naive as the young girl is using her initiative to subdue the fire. When the young girl rummages through another students bag to find a phone it links to Cohen’s theory (1972) that youth are susceptible to crime, however it also shows a counter stereotype about youth being vulnerable as she is again using her initiative to save her life.  The use of broken class on set is used to show a counter stereotype as normally the elder generation are shown as dependent on the younger generation. However, in this clip the elder man breaks the glass to sae the young girl.

The use of fast paced editing at the beginning of the clip, this shows the range of all the characters and most of them are young children or young adults even the teachers. This links to the positive stereotype that youth have long futures ahead as most of the teachers are still young and therefore they too are still learning.  The fast paced editing at the beginning also creates confusion and shows the fear of the youth. This links to a rather negative stereotype of the youth that they are hormonal. This links to Giroux’s theory (1997), that youth are an empty category. This would mean adults would not understand the emotions that these children are going through.

There is a low angle on the children at the start of the extract as they head towards the exit. This a counter stereotype as the low angle makes them look intimidating and youth are meant to be vulnerable. This is then followed by a high angle on one of the teachers this makes them look vulnerable, which is one of the negative stereotypes of elder people.  This links to Giroux’s theory (1997), that youth are an empty category. One could connote that the teacher is shown to be vulnerable, as she feels intimidated by youth. This is a negative stereotype as on the whole youth have good relationships with the older generations, with them playing an important role in our lives as our, parents, teachers, doctor etc.