Representation of Age in ER

In this extract of ER age represented in a number of stereotypical and counter stereotypical ways. This is achieved through the use of the sound and editing. For example a cross cut is shown between the two boys at the beginning, one of which is on the brink of death and seems wise as he knows that his disease is going to kill him anyway.  The dialogue underlines this when he says: "invariably, this disease is fatal". His intelligence is also seen from the formal language he uses and the scientific terms he knows how to use. This counter stereotypes against age as it shows that for such a young person he seems to be wise and intelligent knowing the seriousness of his disease and not wanting to tell him mother as opposed to a child who would stereotypically be crying or screaming and asking for their parents. The other child (which we see through an abrupt cut to the waiting area) is the exact opposite as the sequence reveals that his mother is clearly with him to help him through a minor injury from which he was bitten by a Gerbil and can simply be treated through antibiotics while he sits their squeamishly screaming. His tone of voice is much more stereotypical - whiney and high pitched. As you can see, youth is represented in completely different, stereotypical and counter stereotypical ways because both children's characteristics are completely different one of which you would not normally see in a child.