Mass Media, An Aging Population, and the Baby

The baby boomer generation is heading toward their retirement years, and uses of mass media--as well as the images portrayed in these media--are already being influenced by this demographic shift. This book comprehensively examines the linkage between media and aging issues, addressing mass media theory and practice as it relates to older people.

About the Authors

ix

Contributors

ix

Foreword by Erdman Palmore

xi

Preface

xiii

Acknowledgments

xv

1 Introduction to Mass Media, Aging Americans, and Baby Boomers

1

(11)

Bridging Communication and Gerontology

5

(1)

Ageism, Stereotypes, and Culture

6

(1)

The Importance of Mass Media in Society

7

(4)

Chapter Summary

11

(1)

Review Questions

11

(1)

2 Theory and Research on Communication and Gerontology

12

(21)

Intergenerational Communication, Identity, and Families

13

(1)

Portrayal and Effects

13

(3)

Psychological and Sociological Impact of Portrayals

16

(3)

Uses and Gratifications

19

(4)

Social Gerontology and Disengagement

23

(2)

Social Construction of Reality and Framing

25

(1)

Cultivation

26

(2)

Bias, Stereotyping, and Myth

28

(3)

Cultural Studies and Meaning Making

31

(1)

Chapter Summary

31

(1)

Review Questions

32

(1)

3 Radio—Television News and the Elderly

33

(17)

The Audience for Network Television News

34

(2)

Television News Content

36

(3)

Local Television News and Older People

39

(4)

News Staff and Older People

43

(1)

Views About News Coverage

44

(2)

Targeting Older People Through Crime Coverage

46

(2)

Marketing and Television News

48

(1)

Chapter Summary

48

(1)

Review Questions

49

(1)

4 Print Media and the Elderly

50

(13)

Newspaper Readership Data

50

(2)

Newspaper Content and Older People

52

(3)

Boomers and Media Credibility

55

(1)

Magazines and Older People

56

(1)

John Glenn Case Study

57

(1)

"The Flight" Issues

58

(2)

Range of Content and Experiences

60

(1)

Specialty Publications

61

(1)

Chapter Summary

61

(1)

Review Questions

62

(1)

5 Entertainment Media

63

(14)

Entertainment Television Research

66

(1)

Television Programming

66

(5)

Cable Television

71

(1)

Movies, Video Rentals, and Entertainment as Boomer Culture

72

(2)

Music and Radio Entertainment

74

(1)

Games and Trends

75

(1)

Chapter Summary

75

(1)

Review Questions

76

(1)

6 Advertising, Public Relations, and Advocacy

77

(16)

Demographics and Psychographics

77

(4)

Marketing and Aging

81

(6)

Corporate Communication

87

(1)

Nonprofit Agency Communication

88

(1)

Opinion Formation

89

(3)

Chapter Summary

92

(1)

Review Questions

92

(1)

7 Internet and New Media

93

(23)

Internet Use, Older Media, and Aging in America

100

(1)

CMC, E-mail, Web Surfing, and Online News and Information

100

(2)

Case Study: Older People and the Web

102

(10)

Older People and the Online World

112

(2)

Web Sites of Interest to Aging Baby Boomers

114

(1)

Chapter Summary

115

(1)

Review Questions

115

(1)

8 Health and Sexual Media Content

116

(13)

No Sex, Many Lies, and Not Much Videotape: Aging, Health, Sex, and the Media

116

(1)

Ageism

117

(2)

Lexicon

119

(1)

The Changing Face of Aging

120

(1)

Reluctant Coverage

121

(1)

Myths of Aging

122

(1)

Biased Treatment

123

(1)

Healthy People 2010

123

(2)

Perceptions of Aging

125

(1)

Aging and Sexuality

125

(2)

Online Information

127

(1)

Light at the End of the Tunnel?

127

(1)

Chapter Summary

127

(1)

Review Questions

127

(2)

9 Political Issues of Media and Gerontology

129

(18)

The Politics of Aging

129

(2)

Social Security

131

(1)

Medicare

131

(1)

Other Retirement Worries

132

(1)

AARP Case Study: Election 2000

133

(1)

AARP and Its Publications

134

(1)

Relevant Print Media Studies

134

(2)

AARP Publication Content

136

(6)

Patterns and Themes

142

(1)

Interpreting AARP Publication Content

142

(2)

The Future of Baby Boomers' Issues

144

(1)

Chapter Summary

145

(1)

Review Questions

146

(1)

10 Aging Americans, Mass Media, and the Future

147

(12)

Boomers' Later Working Years

151

(2)

Trends and Predictions

153

(2)

Other Issues

155

(1)

Synthesis of Theory and Research

156

(1)

Chapter Summary

157

(1)

Review Questions

158

(1)

References

159

(18)

Author Index

177

(6)

Subject Index

183

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Mass Media, An Aging Population, and the Baby Boomers

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Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials