1. CHAPTER 5
AGING AND INEQUALITY

2. The Life Course
Life Course: socially constructed stages that people pass through as they live out their lives:
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood

3. Growing Old
Gerontology: a branch of social sciences dealing with aging and the elderly
Growing old involves biological changes; how a culture defines this stage of life makes a difference in the reality of old age
In preindustrial societies, elders comprise a social elite (i.e., gerontocracy)
In industrial societies, the elderly are viewed as a social problem
Societies differ in their definitions of “old age”

4. The Graying of the United States
The elderly population is increasing faster than the population as a whole
Researchers report three levels of “old”
younger old: years of age
older old: years of age
oldest old: 85 and older
Seniors are a socially diverse population in terms of economics, race, ethnicity, and gender

5. Problems of Aging
Social isolation becomes a problem as people enter retirement:
closes off an important source of contact with others
the death of people close to them is another source of isolation
Retirement poses problems as one leaves paid work behind

6. Ageism
Ageism: prejudice and discrimination directed against the elderly
involves both age-based prejudice and age-based discrimination
often combines with other forms of prejudice, placing older women (and older people of color) at a special disadvantage

7. Elder Abuse
Elder abuse often goes undetected because victims are fearful or ashamed to tell others
People who abuse family members often have problems of their own

8. Poverty
10 percent of people in the US over the age of 65 live below the official poverty line
Age Stratification: social inequality among various age categories within a society
Combined Stratification: intersection of race, ethnicity, and gender

9. Housing
Homes of the elderly are often older than average for a community
many elders homes need repairs, insulation, and updated heating and air conditioning systems
The best housing options are available only to affluent elders
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) operates the largest program to assist lower-income seniors with housing

10. Medical Care
Since 1965, Medicare has provided benefits that pay for hospital care and 80 % of other medical care costs for persons 65 years of age and over
To cover other medical costs, 3 out of 4 elders purchase private health insurance
On the average, the elderly spend 20% of their income on health care

11. Death and Dying Culture guides how people view death and dying
Technological advances in modern societies have removed death and dying from everyday life
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide have sparked the “right to die” debate that exists in the U.S. today
As the elder population rapidly increases, the “right to die” debate is certain to continue

12. Structural-Functional Analysis: The Need to Disengage
Disengagement theory contends that modern societies operate more smoothly by disengaging people from positions of responsibility as they enter old age
Proponents say that disengagement is vital to society as a whole and provides older people with the prospect of rest, relaxation, and travel after years of hard work
Critics believe that disengagement of the elderly carries personal costs, including loss of status and income as well as social isolation

13. Symbolic-Interaction Analysis: Staying Active
Activity theory accepts the basic idea of disengagement but adds that people try to replace old roles with new ones
A shortcoming of activity theory is that it overlooks the fact that at least some old people are not physically able to maintain a busy schedule

14. Social-Conflict Analysis: Age and Inequality
Highlights age stratification, pointing out ways that society limits older people’s opportunities and resources
Modern societies define elderly people in negative terms, causing both prejudice and discrimination

15. Social-Conflict Analysis: Age and Inequality
Conflict theorists contend that capitalist societies turn old people into second-class citizens as a means of increasing profit
Critics say that age is only one dimension of social stratification; one also needs to recognize the effects on the elderly of class, race, and gender

16. Politics and Aging Conservatives: More family responsibility
Believe that today’s society suffers from weaker family ties
Emphasize the importance of self-reliance, arguing that people should take responsibility for their own old age by planning and saving throughout their lives

17. Politics and Aging Liberals: More Government Assistance
Older people have faced racial and gender discrimination
Many families rely on dual incomes and can’t afford to care for their elders
Few older people want to depend on their children

18. Politics and Aging Radicals: Capitalism and the Elderly
The culture of capitalism devalues people that are economically less productive
elderly people are a burden to the capitalist economy because they don’t work
the solution to ageism is to replace the capitalist economy with a socialist economy