Inequality Based on Age Chapter 5 Inequality Based on Age

Ageism and the Life Course Ageism: prejudice and discrimination against people on the basis of age Marginalizes older people Social Gerontology: study of the social aspects of aging © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Life Course Childhood: Adolescence Infants: Birth to age 2; Children: Age 3 to 12 Most powerless individuals in society Adolescence New concept in 20th century Hard to define particular age range Caught in between children and adulthood © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Life Course Young Adulthood: Middle Age: Early to mid 20’s until about age 39; Acquisition of new roles; New freedom Middle Age: Age 40 to about 60/65 Experience senescence (physical changes) and secondary aging (environmental factors) © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Life Course Later Maturity Old Age: Begins in 60’s; Peer groups shrink May care for others their age or older Old Age: Begins in late 60’s or 70’s Generally out of paid employment Increase in likelihood of medical conditions © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Life Expectancy Life Expectancy: Age categories: Average length of time a group of individuals will live. Age categories: Young old: 65-74 years old; Old Old: 75-84 Oldest Old: 85+: Fastest growing group in US © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 5.1 U.S. age pyramid by age and sex, 1970 and 2010. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Figure 5.2 U.S. Population Growth © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Stage-based Approach Elisabeth Kubler-Ross says there are 5 stages in the dying process: Denial Anger Bargaining and asking for divine intervention Depression Acceptance © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dying Trajectory Not everyone moves toward death at the same speed and in the same way Trajectories can be: Sudden (heart attack); Slow (lung cancer) 3 Phases: Acute phase; Chronic phase; Terminal phase © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Task-Based Approach Daily activities can still be enjoyed during dying process Fulfilling tasks makes it easier on all involved 3 main types of tasks: Physical tasks; Psychological tasks; Spiritual tasks © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problems Associated with Aging Workplace discrimination: Age Discrimination in Employment Act 1967 Protects workers age 45 and up Retirement: Separation of an individual from occupation Compulsory retirement laws less common Differs for racial groups (white advantage) © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problems Associated with Aging Health, Illness, and Health Care: Older people healthier today Malnutrition big problem for elderly Most eligible for Medicare Victimization: Less likely to be victims of violent crime Targets of scams; Experience elder abuse © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Problems Associated with Aging Family Problems and Social Isolation: Become socially isolated from their families Many elderly live alone Housing patterns: Whites, those 85+, and females are more likely Women more likely to live alone © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Aging Functionalist: Older people should detach themselves from society: For healthy adjustment and stability of society Disengagement theory: Older people want to be released from societal expectations of productivity © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Aging Interactionist: Focus on relationship between life satisfaction and level of activity Activity Theory: Older people happier/better adjusted if are active Shift gears later in life to find meaningful substitutes for previous activities. © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on Aging Conflict: Some older people have inadequate resources in society People who are disadvantaged in younger years become more so in older years © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Solutions to Age Inequality Technology might bring more freedom for older people Dependency ratio Functionalists suggest changes in families and other social institutions Interactionists suggestion maintaining strong relationships © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.