Aging as an Ideological Discourse in Local Cartoons: The Example of TRT Cocuk

Abstract

The representations of the elderly in cartoons provide a great opportunity to discuss the position of aging referring to ideology and power in social relations. This study aims to examine how the elderly individuals are represented in Turkish children's cartoons on television. The research focusses on TRT Cocuk channel due to its high ratings among children's channels and its emphasis on producing local narratives. In this regard this research is limited to the analysis of three cartoons and their characters, Maysa ve Bulut (a member of a larger group than the family) Rafadan Tayfa (the elder of the neighborhood) and Kardesim Ozi (a family member). Characters in these cartoons are analysed by a qualitative content analysis with reference to the theories in aging. Maysa ve Bulut emphasizes neo-conservatism through a traditional narrative highlighting positive relationship between elderly characters and the children. Rafadan Tayfa narrates the positive transformation and the rediscovery of aging in neo-liberal neighborhoods. Finally Kardesim Ozi portrays the hybrid experience of elderly individuals who cannot develop adequate relationships with their surroundings and are stuck between neo-conservatism and neo-liberal economy. In this regard the representation of the elderly and elderly-children relationships in cartoons coincide with the discourses produced by neo-conservatism in Turkey's cultural arena despite their different depictions.