Like millions of others across the country, I recently sat down to watch the new series of the flagship BBC programme Silent Witness, which returned to our screens this month.
Older people have featured across two different storylines and in watching I have found myself disappointed by the way that older characters have been portrayed, and the way the programme has leaned heavily on ageism and stereotypes about growing older to tell these stories.
The first two episodes included a storyline of an older person being targeted by criminals and throughout the episodes, derogatory terms including ‘crazy’, ‘stupid’, and ‘angry’ were used in a matter-of-fact way to describe older people alongside sweeping generalisations like ‘that’s what old men do’, often with no challenge.
And what was particularly concerning was that these kinds of views weren’t only expressed by the criminals in the episode, but also by the wider cast of characters.
A care home manager suggested, for example, that the older people living there ‘don’t know where they are’, while a care worker stated: ‘when they get confused, they get violent’. This was followed later by a police officer casually saying ‘now my dementia is kicking in’ to wry smiles from the characters around her.
At one point one of the main characters also lists several examples of other cultures where older people have made a ‘noble sacrifice’, ending their lives so they are no longer a ‘burden’.
Even the writing in of a newly introduced older character – who, as a Professor is portrayed as being intelligent and capable – cannot resist leaning into the ‘eccentric older woman’ stereotype, as it is revealed she has moved a grand piano into her office and will be teaching herself to play within earshot of her colleagues.
Alongside these examples of casual ageism, more serious charges are also levelled at older people as the criminals use a climactic scene to run through an extended list of grievances that motivated them, saying there are ‘too many’ older people that cost too much to ‘keep alive’, that there are ‘no houses left’, and that older people had ‘buggered up their future’.
Beliefs that older people are to blame for key social issues, such as a lack of housing or job opportunities and that older people are a ‘burden’ are still common and are often openly shared despite being based on myths and stereotypes and disproven by a range of research.
While I’m sure this was not the intention, including these reasons to explain the criminals’ motives almost seemed to suggest that their actions were justifiable on some level, particularly given the attitudes expressed by other characters.
A later episode included a subplot focused on an older woman who had experienced domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. Despite evidence of injuries consistent with abuse, the pathologist’s view that this was the cause of death was challenged.
Further evidence was subsequently provided and it was suggested in a brief scene with a family members that the deceased’s experiences of abuse had now been recognised.
Shining a light on older people’s experiences of domestic abuse and specifically domestic homicide is of course important. But in my view there was a missed opportunity to explore these issues in a bit more depth and use this storyline to highlight some of the barriers that can prevent abuse being identified or disclosed, often for many years.
We know, for example, that family and friends might have suspicions that abuse is occurring but might be unsure about how to raise this. Similarly, there is still a significant stigma relating to abuse and many older people are unsure where to go for help and support – often believing support services are for younger people – which can make people reluctant to seek help.
Exploring these issues in a bit more detail could have helped viewers to better understand older people’s experiences of abuse and the particular difficulties they can face, perhaps challenging assumptions and, importantly, reminding those watching that support is available.
Drama that challenges us, through the stories it tells or the language it uses, can be hugely important. But it’s also important to recognise the role that drama and entertainment can play in normalising language or reinforcing attitudes about certain groups.
So when ageist language is used casually by many characters, even main characters who are meant to be aspirational, it suggests this kind of language is acceptable.
When a criminal’s motives reference key social issues that older people are often wrongly blamed for as part of mainstream discussion and debate, it suggests that these kind of actions might be justified on some level.
Or when an issue as serious as domestic abuse is referenced in such a superficial way, chances are missed to share important messages that would not only resonate with someone experiencing abuse, but also more widely with families and friends.
Of course, these kinds of issues are not limited to one TV programme, they are common across many forms of media, as highlighted by a range of research.
That’s why it’s really important that older people’s voices, experiences and the issues they face are more accurately reflected and celebrated by the media. This is common for other groups or sensitive issues, but often seems to be lacking where older people are concerned.
Doing this still enables compelling stories to be created and told, but also enables powerful platforms to be used to challenge stereotypes and assumptions about older people and growing older.
It really is win-win.