Kairós Gerontologia (Jul 2015)

The violence against the elderly in films

  • Lucy Gomes Vianna,
  • Hugo Henrique Alves Ferreira,
  • Josiane Aparecida Duarte,
  • Bruna Miclos de Oliveira,
  • Cristina S. Cunha,
  • Norma D’Albuquerque Augusto,
  • Armando José China Bezerra

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 2
pp. 167 – 195

Abstract

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Introduction: With the aging of the population, the issue of violence against the elderly need to be debated, in order to enlighten and educate the população about this issue. The movies utilization is a effective educational resource, contributing to reflection and understanding of these situation. Objective: To collect and analyze images in film productions that express the different types of violence against the elderly. Material and methods: Analysis of the national and international filmography, identifying scenes in commercial films portraying the violence against the elderly. We searched up the sites www.cinema10.com.br, www.adorocinema.com, www.cinemateca.gov.br, www.filmesdecinema.com.br, www.cineplayers, www.interfilmes, www.cineclick.com.br, and www.revistaforum.com.br. The films with scenes of violence against the elderly were listed. Results: We listed up 58 films showing scenes displaying different types of violence against the elderly: 24 (41%) physical violence; 18 (31%) psychological violence; 14 (24%) social violence, 10 (17%) self-neglect, 10 (17%) economic abuse, 6 (10%) abandonment, 3 (5%) sexual violence, and 3 (5%) negligence. Conclusion: Using film imagery, we can diffuse the issue of mistreatment against the elderly, as well as broaden the instances to denounce this violence. Thus, we search to focus on the elderly citizenship, guaranteeing their rights and attending reframe the context and the images of aging.

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