The Aged: A Social Minority Unequal treatment in the form of  Prejudice  Discrimination Physical traits that set them apart from the dominant group Involuntary status Group solidarity In-group marriage

Who Are the Elderly? The elderly are more likely to be: 1.Female 2.White 3. Living in certain states (California in absolute numbers but proportionately higher in Florida, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and the Dakotas) Increased growth in the elderly population over the next three decades

Figure 17-1 Actual and Projected Growth of the Elderly Population of the U.S.

Who Are the Elderly? Ageism - systematic subordination, discrimination and prejudice directed towards the elderly Stereotyping - elderly are often stereotyped Seen as incompetent, senile, ill, weak, slow forgetful etc.

Who Are the Elderly? Elderly and discrimination Employment discrimination Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1968

The Economic Picture Variation in the economic well-being of the elderly  Gender  Race/Ethnicity  Social class Poverty rate has declined among the elderly

Figure 17-2 Poverty Rate Among the Elderly, 2003

Advocacy Efforts by the Elderly Maggie Kuhn and the Gray Panthers - organization to fight against ageism and the rights of the elderly Older Women’s League - health insurance, Social Security and pension reform American Association of Retired Persons - lobby and works on a number of issues of interest for the elderly

People With Disabilities Disability defined- reduced ability to perform a normal task at a given stage in life The number of disabled will increase  Advances in medicine  Aging and disabilities Disabilities cut across a number of social boundaries  Higher rates among ethnic and racial minorities Severity of disabilities varies

Labeling the Disabled Labeling the disabled - disability becomes the primary factor in how other’s define the disabled  Disability is only one aspect and social role of the disabled The media contributes to popular negative images of people with disabilities

Labeling the Disabled Discrimination- society is not organized around those with disabilities  Architectural barriers  Educational barriers  Employment barriers

Advocacy for Rights of the Disabled Ed Roberts and others established the Berkeley Center for Independent Living National Federation for the Blind - single group organizations (Blind Organization) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992  Civil Rights view of disabilities  Humanize the way society treats the disabled

Gays and Lesbians: Coming Out for Equality Homophobia - fear and prejudice toward homosexuals and homosexuality The issue of AIDS in the gay community AIDS movement AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power Gay bashing and hate crimes Stigma of (homosexuality) gays and lesbians Negative stereotypes

Gays and Lesbians: Coming Out For Equality Discrimination and:  family rights  housing rights  healthcare rights  employment rights

Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian Rights First homosexual organization (1924) founded in Chicago Contemporary gay and lesbian movement started in New York in 1969 Police and Gay confrontation in a New York bar  Led to rioting  Formation of groups to fight discrimination Gay liberation groups on college campuses and communities

Advocacy for Gay and Lesbian Rights Don’t ask don’t tell military policy of the Clinton administration Senior Action in a Gay Environment (Sage) established in Manhattan in 1978( Social Organization for Elderly gay and lesbians) Domestic partnership issues through the courts

Figure 17-4 Recent Changes in Schooling, Income, and Life Expectancy

Figure 17-5 The Image of Diversity from Census 2000

Present and Future Glass half full optimists Glass half empty pessimists What does the future hold in store for ethnic, racial and other subordinate group struggles for equality?