Media Representation of Geriatric Neglect and Abuse: Media Analysis

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Page: 457-462

Mandeep Kaur Arora, Poonam Phogat, and Aditi Ashrit (Department of Psychology, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi, Delhi)

Elderly abuse isolates the elderly in a loop of hopelessness and depression. While several major forms of elderly abuse are under-reported, the most common kind of exploitation is based on financial encroachment and emotional neglect. There is a growing urgency in validating the importance of geriatric individuals in our lives and recognizing the signs of this abuse. Cinema being an excellent source of spreading ideas and beliefs is an excellent tool for exploring the perspective of a geriatric person experiencing abuse. The objective of the paper is to explore the various ways in which the elderly face abuse in the movie “Baghbaan” using thematic analysis. The findings elaborate on various themes from the movie with regard to the family relations of an elderly couple. The induced themes are as follows: (i) Marital relationship, (ii) unconditional love for children, (iii) issues of property and lineage, (iv) old age as a burden, (v) need for attachment and attention, (vi) verbal abuse and mistreatment, (vii) depression, and (viii) boredom. The movie has contributed in bringing awareness about the concerns of the elderly vis a vis their neglect and abuse. Thereafter, Government initiatives and amendments in the laws have been made to reduce geriatric neglect and abuse.