Naturalizing Myths of Aging: Reading Popular Culture

摘要: This essay blends distinct fields of study--namely semiotics, gerontology, geriatrics, and the critical analysis dramatic filmic comedy modern era--in a way that we hope sheds light on perception elders both in our cultural tradition current society. By bringing to bear these disciplines this issue, attempt expose one erroneous perceptions about elderly--myths, if you will--are propagated. Why is it, for example, majority Americans have generally negative attitudes towards aging process despite fact such stereotypes are all contradicted by reality (Palmore, 1990)? What it fear--and perhaps loathe--when comes ? And why so irrational topic? How do myths originate? whose agenda might they serve? Is there some effective can be defused popular mind? The above problematic questions, with potentially disturbing answers. Yet believe beginning understand linguistic perceptual mechanisms which come into existence, crucial first step will taken toward understanding source scope themselves. Perhaps only then be, as society, position countermand usually harmful often destructive misconceptions elderly population.