: Shift away from viewing aging as a punchline or a disease. Beyond the Stereotypes: The Reality of Aging Women in Films
To combat these trends, researchers from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media suggest:
Research highlights a significant disparity in how aging affects the careers of female actors compared to their male counterparts:
: Increase stories featuring LGBTQIA+ and disabled individuals within the 50+ community.
“Male characters tend to be valued for what they do, what they accomplish. Female characters tend to be valued for how they look and who they're attached to.” Forbes · 7 months ago
: Focus on genuine stories that resonate with the 50+ demographic.
: Cast older women, especially women of color, in roles traditionally held by men.
“The point should not be to romanticize later life but rather to showcase a plurality of images reflective of both the gains and losses inherent in the aging process.” Wiley · 2 years ago Key Research Recommendations
