British Academy Debates: Too Old and Ugly to be Useful? Challenging
Negative Representations of Older People
University of Sheffield Students' Union, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG
Tuesday 25 March 2014, 6pm
Chaired by Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch
Admission to this event is Free but you are required to register on the
British Academy website in order to book online.
http://www.britac.ac.uk/events/2014/Too_Old_and_Ugly_to_be_Useful.cfm
Has there ever been a golden age of ageing, or is that golden age now?
In the past, representations of older people in literature, art, the
media and everyday life have been highly diverse; stressing their
positive roles in their families and communities as much as their
frailty. As the numbers of older people grows, how can we promote and
celebrate their positive contribution, and challenge the pervasive
negative stereotypes of later life?
Speakers:
Representations of Older People, Past and Present
Professor Pat Thane (King’s College, London) challenges the widespread
beliefs that in ‘the past’ it was rare to live to old age; that older
people were nurtured by their families and communities; and that they
were widely respected as, allegedly, they are not in modern Britain.
Instead, she argues, representations and experiences of older people
have always been highly diverse, with some dependant on welfare while
others made an active contribution to the economy, society and their
families. Now, the latter group are increasing because people live
longer, more active lives. If there was ever a ‘golden age’ of ageing,
it is now.
Media Images of Women and Ageing
Dr Lorna Warren (University of Sheffield) shows how the media play a
critical strategic role in the transmission of images – positive and
negative – of older people, particularly of older women. The physical
signs of ageing are frequently stereotyped or become the butt of humour,
influenced by the narrative of the anti-ageing industry – and sometimes
they are simply air-brushed out of existence. These presentation
techniques are key to understanding not only why the older face doesn’t
‘fit’, but also how more positive representations may be successfully
launched through the visual.
Discussants:
Professor Tim Parkin is Professor of Ancient History at the University
of Manchester and has written on the history of ageing in classical
antiquity, notably Old Age in the Roman World: A Cultural and Social
History.
Dr Ilona Haslewood (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) leads the research and
development programme, A Better Life, at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
This explores how to achieve a good life in older age. In addition to
publishing research reports, the programme has used images, stories and
music to help illuminate findings and challenge stereotypes.
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