Sociology in Modules Richard T. Schaefer

Aging and Society Age Stratification All societies have some system of age stratification that associates certain social roles with distinct periods in life “Being old” is master status that commonly overshadows all others in U.S. “Old” designation has major impact on how others perceive individuals and how they view themselves

Aging and Society Age Stratification (continued) Properties of minority or subordinate groups apply to older people in U.S. Experience unequal employment treatment Share physical characteristics Membership is involuntary Strong sense of group solidarity Generally married to others of comparable age

Sociological Perspectives on Aging No clear-cut definitions for different periods of the aging cycle in U.S. Old age typically regarded as beginning at 65 Increase in life expectancy led writers to refer to people in their 60s as the “young old” Gerontology: scientific study of sociological and psychological aspects of aging and problems of the aged

Functionalist Perspective: Disengagement Theory Older people are socially isolated, with reduced social roles Disengagement theory: society and aging individuals mutually sever many of their relationships Functionalists emphasize that passing social roles from one generation to another ensures social stability

Interactionist Perspective: Activity Theory Older people involved in new networks and changing social roles Activity theory: elderly persons who remain active and socially involved will be best-adjusted Social interaction can lower death rates among elderly Same need for social interaction as other groups Focus on the potential contributions of older people to the maintenance of society

Labeling Perspective Old age is a life stage defined by society Society reconsidering what makes a person old Should old age be defined not by how old one is, but by how long one is expected to live? Labeling of old age differs between cultures

Conflict Perspective Elderly victimized by social structure, and their social roles are devalued Impact of social structure on aging patterns Treatment of older people in U.S. reflects many divisions in society In developing world, transition from agricultural economies to industrialization and capitalism not always beneficial to elderly

Table 36-1: Sociological Perspectives on Aging

Aging Worldwide More than 570 million people age 65 or older Europe’s population is older than others Japanese enjoy life expectancy of 83 years; 79 in U.S. In most developing countries, people over 60 in poorer health

Figure 37-1: World’s “Oldest” Countries versus the United States

Role Transitions throughout the Life Course Socialization is lifelong process Life course varies dramatically depending on personal preferences and circumstances Midlife crises: period of self-evaluation typically beginning around age 40

The Sandwich Generation Sandwich Generation: adults who simultaneously try to meet the competing needs of their parents and of their own children Role of caring for aging parents falls disproportionately on women Last major transition occurs after age 60 Causes dramatic changes in people’s everyday lives

Adjusting to Retirement Rite of passage Marks critical transition from one phase of a person’s life to another (Atchley, 1976) Preretirement Near phase Honeymoon phase Disenchantment phase Reorientation phase Stability phase Termination phase

Adjusting to Retirement Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs): older Americans congregate in areas that gradually become informal centers for senior citizens Residents of these communities threatened by gentrification

Figure 37-2: Baby Boomers Eyeing Retirement

Death and Dying Kübler-Ross research encouraged open discussion of the process of dying Identified five stages of the dying experience: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance Five stages of dying has been challenged Concept of a “good death” Hospice care: seek to improve dying person’s last days by helping him or her to stay at home or in a homelike setting

Age Stratification in the U. S. The “Graying of America” In the future, an increasing proportion of U.S. population will be composed of older people At the same time, the “oldest old” will grow at a faster rate Women outnumber men by a ratio of 3 to 2 Elderly more likely to be White Highest proportions of older people in FL, PA, RI, IA, WV, and AR

Wealth and Income Significant variation in wealth and poverty Typical older person has higher standard of living than in nation’s past Greater accumulation of wealth in form of home ownership, private pensions, and financial assets Still, about 9% of nation’s elderly live below the poverty line

Ageism Ageism: prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s age For many, old age symbolizes disease While physical condition does weaken with age, today’s older people are in much better shape than their counterparts one generation ago Silver collar economy—the hiring of people 65 and older because of the belief that they are more reliable and productive

Competition in the Labor Force Older workers face discrimination in the labor force Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) went into effect in 1986 Courts made significant decisions in favor of older workers

Figure 38-1: Percentage of U. S Figure 38-1: Percentage of U.S. Population in Selected Age Groups, 1970–2050

Figure 38-2: Minority Population Age 65 and Older, 2012–2050

Figure 38-3: Twenty-Eight Floridas by 2030

The Elderly: Emergence of a Collective Consciousness Growing awareness of the social power of the elderly AARP powerful lobbying organization Formation of organizations for elderly homosexuals Elderly in U.S. better off today than before, but they constitute diverse group

Social Policy and Age Stratification: The Right to Die Worldwide Looking at the Issue Physician-assisted suicide one aspect of larger debate in U.S. Euthanasia: act of bringing about death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person Public opinion divided Greater legal tolerance for passive euthanasia

Social policy and Age Stratification: The Right to Die Worldwide Applying Sociology Informal norms seem to permit mercy killings American Hospital Association estimates as many as 70% of all deaths in the U.S. quietly negotiated Conflict theorists ask questions about the values raised by such decisions People who died with a doctor’s help more likely to be socially, economically, and educationally privileged

Social policy and Age Stratification: The Right to Die Worldwide Initiating Policy In industrialized world, euthanasia legal and widely accepted in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland In U.S., Oregon and Washington allows assisted suicide Medical and technological advances allow us to prolong life Cannot provide answers to complex ethical, legal, and political questions

Research Today 37-2: Native Americans and Death Does your own family observe traditional cultural practices regarding death and dying, independent of formal religious ritual? If so, explain their meaning and importance to your family. Apply the concepts you learned in Chapter 3 to Native American burial practices. Which of them do you find most useful in understanding these practices?

Research Today 38-1: Elderspeak and Other Signs of Ageism Have you ever worked alongside an older person? If so, did that person’s age affect the way he or she did the job? In what ways? Are older people the only ones who experience ageism? What signs of ageism might those who are not old experience?