Starość „przy rodzinie”, starość wykluczona czy trzeci wiek? Przemiana strategii opisywania starości w kulturze popularnej

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the discourse on later life in the TV series 'M jak miłość', season one (2000) and season eleven (2010). Additionally, I also analyze fragments of the TV series 'Plebania', season one (2000) ans season eleven (2010), containing elderly characters. The questions I seek to answer are: What ways of living in later life do these series depict? Has the discourse on later life changed during the last decade? 'M jak miłość' shows older people concentrating mainly on family matters (as parents and grandparents), which I call "old age in the family". The series shows no image of poor or socially excluded old people. Poor, ill, lonely and socially excluded elderly people are shown in 'Plebania', with all four traits combined. However, the problems of such persons are always solved in succeeding episodes, through re-established family relations or new social contacts. 'M jak miłość" also depicts the third age. It is individualistic and oriented towards popular culture and individual pleasures. It is shown through wealthier characters or characters from abroad. In season 11, the principal older characters take on some third age traits: They think about their spare time rather than about their children's problems; and they progressively let go the ideal of three generations living under one roof. Old age in the two TV series is depicted mainly through external features such as wrinkles, grey hair, changing posture, and way of moving. The more well-to-do characters look younger. In season 11 the older characters look younger than similarly aged characters in season 1, as they dress up more youthfully and use cosmetics.