1. 1 Chapter 13 Stratification by Age

2. 2 Age, like gender and race, is an ascribed status that forms the basis for social differentiation. But there is one crucial difference between older people and other subordinate groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities or women: All of us who live long enough will eventually assume the ascribed status of being an older person. Age, like gender and race, is an ascribed status that forms the basis for social differentiation. But there is one crucial difference between older people and other subordinate groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities or women: All of us who live long enough will eventually assume the ascribed status of being an older person.

3. 3 Explaining the Ageing Process Ageing is one important aspect of socialisation– the life long process through which an individual learns the cultural norms and values of a particular society.Ageing is one important aspect of socialisation– the life long process through which an individual learns the cultural norms and values of a particular society. The particular problems of the elderly have become the focus for a specialised area of research and inquiry known as gerontology. Gerontology is the scientific study of the sociological and psychological aspects of ageing and the problems of the aged.The particular problems of the elderly have become the focus for a specialised area of research and inquiry known as gerontology. Gerontology is the scientific study of the sociological and psychological aspects of ageing and the problems of the aged.

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5. 5 Midlife crisis: a stressful period of self- evaluation that begins about age 40; people realise that they have not achieved basic goals and ambitions and have little time left to do so.Midlife crisis: a stressful period of self- evaluation that begins about age 40; people realise that they have not achieved basic goals and ambitions and have little time left to do so. Sandwich generation: adults who simultaneously they to meet the competing needs of their parents and their own children; care-giving goes in two directions: to children and to aging parents.Sandwich generation: adults who simultaneously they to meet the competing needs of their parents and their own children; care-giving goes in two directions: to children and to aging parents.

6. 6 Adjusting to Retirement Gerontologist Robert Atchley (1976) has identified several phrases of the retirement experience: Gerontologist Robert Atchley (1976) has identified several phrases of the retirement experience: Pre-retirementPre-retirement The near phraseThe near phrase The honeymoon phraseThe honeymoon phrase The disenchantment phraseThe disenchantment phrase The reorientation phraseThe reorientation phrase The stability phraseThe stability phrase The termination phraseThe termination phrase

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8. 8 Ageism: prejudice and discrimination against people because of their age.Ageism: prejudice and discrimination against people because of their age. Theory of Cumulative Disadvantage: the increasing inequality faced by ageing racial and ethnic group members as a result of diminished life chances. While senior citizens as a group have made economic strides, members of racial minorities have not kept pace. (1. less steady work histories. 2. less pension)Theory of Cumulative Disadvantage: the increasing inequality faced by ageing racial and ethnic group members as a result of diminished life chances. While senior citizens as a group have made economic strides, members of racial minorities have not kept pace. (1. less steady work histories. 2. less pension)

9. 9 Death and Dying Five stages of the experience of dying a person may undergo: 1. Deny (deny the dying truth to themselves, families and friends); 2. Anger (denial cannot be maintained, then anger can be directed at anyone or anything); 3. Bargaining (talking about unfulfilled goals they will pursue, bargaining with God for additional time); 4. Depression (realised the reality, then experience a pervasive sense of loss); 5. Acceptance (not always reached by the dying person; but those who accept death are not happy about the prospect, but have come to terms with their fate and ready to die in peace.) 1. Deny (deny the dying truth to themselves, families and friends); 2. Anger (denial cannot be maintained, then anger can be directed at anyone or anything); 3. Bargaining (talking about unfulfilled goals they will pursue, bargaining with God for additional time); 4. Depression (realised the reality, then experience a pervasive sense of loss); 5. Acceptance (not always reached by the dying person; but those who accept death are not happy about the prospect, but have come to terms with their fate and ready to die in peace.)

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11. 11 Euthanasia ( 安樂死 ): the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for reasons of mercy.Euthanasia ( 安樂死 ): the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for reasons of mercy. Senilicide: the killing of the aged because of extreme difficulties in providing basic necessities such as food and shelter.Senilicide: the killing of the aged because of extreme difficulties in providing basic necessities such as food and shelter.