Visual Representations of Older People’s Sexuality in Popular Cartoons

Eugène Loos () and Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan
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Eugène Loos: School of Governance, Utrecht University, 3511 ZC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan: School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel

Societies, 2024, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: This study explores the portrayal of older adults’ sexuality in popular cartoons, a medium often overlooked in discussions about aging and sexual representation. The research examines how visual and textual signs in cartoons produce humor by reinforcing stereotypes and normalizing judgments about later-life sexual behavior. Using a visual social semiotic approach, the study analyzes a selection of cartoons, focusing on how these depictions reflect societal attitudes towards aging and sexuality. The findings reveal that older individuals are often portrayed in a stigmatized manner, with their sexual desires and activities depicted as either comical or abnormal. This contributes to the marginalization of older adults in sexual discourse and perpetuates ageist stereotypes. The study concludes that while these representations may appear harmless, they play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and can negatively impact the self-image and sexual well-being of older individuals. Future research should further investigate how older adults perceive these portrayals and their implications for societal attitudes towards aging and sexuality.

Keywords: aging; sexuality; popular cartoons; visual social semiotics; stereotypes; ageism; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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