Elderly People about Australian Media and the Chinese Media - Assignment Example

Elderly People about Australian Media and the Chinese Media Introduction The older generation is treated differently in China and Australia by the independent media of both states. This is due to the fact that the cultural orientation in both states differs greatly. For instance, In China, the media comprises of the television, radio, newspapers as well as the magazines in modern times the internet. Much of the media outlets are state run with limited independence. While on the other hand, in Australia, there is a more independence to the mainstream media. The Australians are primarily western in cultural orientation and democratic practice. This leads to the apparent differentia on the nature of the treatment of the old in both states. For example, Australia being more liberal gives the greater safeguard to the rights of the octogenarians. This leads to their dignified treatment as well as advancement modes of care given to them (Yuezhi 118). On the contrary, in China, there is a more dictatorial tendency in the application of privileges that are accorded to the old. This is due to the less undemocratic culture of the Chinese administration. In conclusion, the media in both states advocates for the care of the elderly, enhancement of their rights and privileges an excreta. The below excerpt gives a discussion on the similarities and differences of how both states treats their older population. Media Representation in Australia and China There is great deal of difference as well similarities on the modes of treating the old in both states. For instance, in China the younger generation is compelled by law to visit their elderly parents. With the passage of that law, those who remained defiant would attract to themselves a penalty upon being sued (Yuezhi 30). Even though, the stricture, does not state the specificity of how, frequent the visit ought to be, it does connote a court action in the event of eventual failure of observance. The Chinese media has greatly exposed the apparent neglect of the elderly by their siblings. For example, the media once reported of an elderly woman at her nineties who was forced to live in a pigsty for period of two years. . In addition, the Chinese newspaper is a rot with similar stories and tales of siblings disinheriting their parents of their hard earned assets leaving them to die uncared for. Moreover, the speedy development in China has led to the destruction of the primordial extended families. Most of the Chinese population comprise of those over sixty years of age. Sadly enough, the media has highlighted the fact that, more than half of this population lives alone whilst; their children work in industrial centers. There are also fewer working siblings who can help the older parents due to the execution of one child policy (Hassid 162). As a result, there are fewer affordable options left like, retirement, care abandoned homes, care for the elderly relatives and excreta. Culturally, the relationship between parents and children has grown more complex. For example, most of China subscribe to Confucian cultural orientation of “filial piety," This tradition, gives priority to the family unit. It also gives value to elders as well as accords them respect. In addition, cultural practice is such that, the view and treatment of the elderly is y linked to the role that they pay to the society (Yuezhi 436). Lastly, the media has highlighted the enactment of elderly rights law. This has bolstered the modest treatment of the old. On the other hand, in Australia, there is a large ageing population and it is likely to get more pronounced. Out of this, about two thirds of them live within the family households. The media has highlighted that, factors such as a decrease in birth rate, increased childlessness, frequent divorce in stances have led to an increased number of older persons who live alone un carted for by their siblings. Australia established a national and an independent statutory organ in 1986 by an Act of federal Parliament. The statutory organ does investigate matters on discrimination on the grounds of age among others. Through, Australian media, human rights education has been enhanced and resolutions reached on complaints about the breaches. This has created an environment in which the rights and the privileges the elderly are insured (Yuezhi 299). Proper legal system that oversees any abuse or breech of the elderly rights equally acts as deterrent to those who would breech them. It can hence be emphasized that, the elderly feel more secure and are under greater care in Australia than in China. Moreover, the Christian breeding of the Australian population informs their value system on the modest treatment of the elderly. A well developed democratic practice that upholds the rule of law leads to an easier execution of the legislated rights for the octogenarians per se. Lastly, the media has equally paid a pivotal role in advocating for tolerance on the older generation. The media also carries out programs aimed at enjoyment of elderly rights and privileges. It is also worth making note of the fact that, a liberal Australian has lead to a more informed populace on matters elderly privileges, rights and responsibilities, less stereotyping of the old, discrimination and excreta (Liebman 317). Culturally, Australians are majorly subscribers to western culture with a great deal of Aborigines and Torres Islanders. This gives them a great deal of leverage over the more dictatorial administration of China. This has showcased an enormous advancement in the legislations on elderly rights and privileges. The democratic nature of the Australian administration has equally led to a more liberalized media house. The fourth estates thus, have a wider freedom in highlighting the plight of the elderly. It is thence, worth making note of the fact that, there is less neglect of the older population in Australia than in China. Conclusion The above excerpt is an elaborate enunciation of the difference in the treatment of the octogenarians by the independent media of both Australia and China. For instance, the cultural orientation of the Australians is predominantly western this informs their great advancement in the development of elderly rights and privileges. The liberal culture of the Australians equally, informs the well built welfares that are given to the older generation. The spiritual orientation has also dictated the highly upheld values on the treatment of the older people (Campbell 29). On the other hand, the Chinese culture is largely Confucian. This equally implores the younger generation to care for the abandoned elderly. This is often forgone in the pursuit of economic enfranchisement. This happens when the active and the energetic members of population leave for urban areas. This leaves an increased number of many elderly people in the rural areas. In spite of the differences, there are equally a great deal of similarity in the ways in which they are treated both the media in both states. This is out of the result of continual globalization, development of similar media programs such as highlighting the plight of the elderly, motivation of children to care for their elderly relatives and parents, anti discrimination of the ageing and excreta. The rapid expansion of elderly rights, mutual societal concerns, and demand for a more humane and dignified treated of the old in the world over have, altogether made an immense contribution on relooking into the plight of the old in spite of the apparent differentia in cultural orientations from the two states. Even though, there has been advancement in the caring for the plight of the elderly, globalization and industrialization have compelled most people move to urban areas. This has made many children to leave their children uncared for in rural areas. Works Cited Campbell, Eric. Absurdistan. Sydney: HarperCollins, 2011. Print. Hassid, Jonathan. "China's Contentious Journalists: Reconceptualizing the Media." Problems of Post-Communism 55(4), 2008. 52–61. Hassid, Jonathan. "Controlling the Chinese Media: An Uncertain Business." Asian Survey 48(3), 2008. 414–430. Julian, Gardner Uncovering elder abuse: powers of attorney, administration orders and other issues for banks Presentation to the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman Annual Conference 25 November 2005 Victorian Office of the Public Advocate p3. Liebman, Benjamin. "Watchdog or Demagogue? The Media in the Chinese Legal System." Columbia Law Review 105(1), 2005, 1–157. Yuezhi, Zhao. Media, Market, and Democracy in China. Chicago: University of Illinois Press. Read More