Images of Ageing in Society: A Literature Review

Abstract

Rapid population ageing triggered by a low fertility rate and a rise in life expectancy is being experienced worldwide, which has raised many formidable social, political and economic challenges. It becomes increasingly important to gain an in-depth understanding into prevailing attitudes towards older people and ageing in society. This article has systematically reviewed the literature on images of ageing. In addition to statistically analysing the characteristics of the reviewed literature, findings of the reviewed articles have been reported using the main themes identified. The review found that older characters, especially older female characters, are underrepresented compared with census figures in both Western and Asian media. Although mixed images are presented, negative ones tend to predominate. Compared with older people, the young and middle-aged people especially those who have less contact with older people tend to have simpler, vaguer and more negative stereotypes for the older population. Through long exposure to the stereotypes held by the public towards their group, older members of the stereotype-target groups may internalise those perceptions, especially for those who are relatively weak in filtering information. In addition, negative self-image and images of ageing held by older people have been found to be detrimental to their physical, mental, behavioural and social functioning. Based on the findings of this review, recommendations are made for research, policy, practice and education so as to construct new images of ageing in the society in which everyone look forward to entering into old age and the older group remain healthy, well-groomed, outgoing, capable, and active members of the community.