Not Bad for an Abuela, eh? The Representation of Age in Maya & Miguel

• In Event: Communication and Aging Division: Competitive paper III -- Intergenerational communication, new media, and workplace

Abstract

Through a textual analysis of 12 episodes of the animated children’s program Maya & Miguel, the author examines the portrayal of age. This study uses the circuit of culture (du Gay et al., 1997) moment of representation as the focus. While some age stereotypes are maintained within the show (e.g., elderly are wise and comforting), other characterizations likely surprise the viewer (e.g., elderly shown as web-savvy, mechanically minded and fit).

Authors

• Emily S. Kinsky, Pepperdine University

• Johny Garner, Pepperdine University