The TV show 'Skins' is an example of a media text which represents young people in a negative light. The name of the programme itself is a reference to use of drugs, showing how the writer has used language to bring out these negative teenage connotations. In the video above we see the characters at a house party drinking large amounts of alcohol, taking drugs and having sex. This depicts the negative stereotype of teenagers entirely. In terms of visual codes, the characters in the video are all wearing clothes that would be considered trendy or fashionable by this age group. This enables the viewers to relate to the show and shows how the writer assumes that this is typical behaviour of all people this age, representing the whole age group in a negative light.
This article taken from the Daily Mail website is also an example of a negative representation of youth. It can be considered as a rich text as it also shows stereotypes of the male gender. The language and mode of address used in the headline has been included specifically to shock the reader and to create a negative light over the teenager. The fact that he is described as a student suits the stereotype in society today that students of around 18-20 spend their time drinking excessively and doing stupid things. Also in the second paragraph it says he was dared by his other friends to do the act, suggesting that this is a typical mentality of most teenagers, boys in particular.
Old people
This article has been taken from the website of newspaper The Independent. It represents people of an old age in a negative light through the language used by the writer. The specific age of the woman has been included in the title of the article along with words like pensioner in order to establish just how old she is. These words often have connotations of being settled and leading un-exciting lives. However this article challenges these ideas through the use of words like 'arrest', 'cocaine' and 'birthday bash'. These are words that are often considered to be negative and related to people of a much younger age. The fact that these words have been selected in this context creates a negative representation of the elderly woman and potentially this age group as a whole. It could represent them as out of control and wild.
Stereotypes of age in media
This is an article taken from The Independent website and creates a stereotypical view of teenagers in modern society. The language and mode of address used portrays teenagers and boys in particular as obsessed with drinking and being out of control. Also the use of social media in the text creates a stereotype as the majority of british teenagers are users of sites like Facebook, labelling everyone of these people as the same.
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