: Shift away from viewing aging as a punchline or a disease. Beyond the Stereotypes: The Reality of Aging Women in Films

To combat these trends, researchers from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media suggest:

“The point should not be to romanticize later life but rather to showcase a plurality of images reflective of both the gains and losses inherent in the aging process.” Wiley · 2 years ago Key Research Recommendations

: Cast older women, especially women of color, in roles traditionally held by men.

Industry experts and community members offer varied views on these shifts:

: While women over 50 represent 20% of the population, they appear on television only 8% of the time, according to Nielsen .

: Increase stories featuring LGBTQIA+ and disabled individuals within the 50+ community.

The following key findings from recent academic and industry research illustrate the current landscape for mature women in entertainment, characterized by a persistent "double standard of aging" and systemic underrepresentation. Major Findings on Mature Women in Cinema