Mass Media, An Aging Population, and the Baby Boomers

by Hilt,Michael L.

• ISBN13: 9780805848656
• ISBN10: 0805848657
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-08-10
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

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