Media representations of different groups of people based on age (children, adolescents, the elderly), or occupation often essentially, generalize, or categorize people based on stereotypical generalizations about individuals. It is assumed that certain prototypical images, language use, or social practices of a group are represented in a single token representative person — that a black gang member serves as a representative of all black adolescents.
While some people believe that the media reflects reality and shows accurate interpretations of social groups through movies, video games and television programs, the true purpose of the media isn’t to directly mirror reality but instead re-present it through messages and techniques. Indeed, it is very rare for movies not to generalize social groups because they are dominated by stereotypical characters that try and affect how we relate to others and ourselves. Although this can be an unfair and inaccurate representation of people who belong to a particular social group, it is also inevitable for the media to use stereotypical characters because they act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or a group of people. For example, the youth are sometimes represented as being irresponsible, immature and reckless in movies such as ‘American Pie’ but outside of the media there many young people that contradict these views and are in reality polite and civilized.
As a result, these representations of the American youth in the media forces people to view the youth in a negative way instead of concentrating more on their positive qualities. There are many different stereotypes of young people that are popular in the media, and these are created by placing common features of the youth together and consequently simplify their attitudes and personality. For example, in ‘The Sixth Sense’ the young boy is shown as both smart and timid and is also unique compared to his school friends because he is able to actually see and speak with ghosts. Characters such as these in the media are often referred to as ‘geeks’ or ‘nerds’ because they are both smart and have difficulty expressing themselves with others, and also because they are often obsessive over a particular interest. However, outside of the media world it isn’t uncommon to find young teenagers who are smart but also lively and wild. Likewise, there are many young people who are obsessed with music and movies but because these are popular forms of entertainment with the majority of their friends they aren’t seen in a negative way, whereas those who read as a hobby or spend too much time on the internet are seen as ‘nerds’.
In addition, the media is also guilty for using appearance as a method of representing certain types of teenagers and young social groups such as Goths. Indeed, it is uncommon in movies to have young people with a strong physical appearance if they are also very intelligent for their age and passionate over something that is considered unpopular amongst teenagers. As a result, they are often seen wearing glasses and usually have a fragile and vulnerable appearance, and they are usually viewed as the bottom of the food-chain in their school because of it. However, those who have a muscular and powerful body are consequently classed as stupid and weak-minded as well as being the leader of a group of bullies that terrorize their school. These stereotypical images are unfair and inaccurate representations of the youth because there are many people who are both strong and clever, and while it is common-sense to suggest that those with a strong physical appearance are going to have more strength than others, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other teenagers are weak or helpless.
Rahmeen Shaikh 