Age Inequality
Lasett (1991) better to see three stages: first (socialisation) second (childbearing) third (independence)
Milne et al (1999) agree research idea homogenous groups, 16yr seems to be everyone over 65. life experiences difference 'grey power' consumption habits
Pilcher division when discussing 'young old' 75-74 'middle aged old' and 75-84 'old old'
Discrimination age 16 ID and status key part, employment, education, media, treatment professionals
Moore biological psychological and social process of ageing, dressed as old person for three year, how perceived assumption deaf, easily confused, 'not important anymore'
Johnson & Bytheway (1993) ageism offensive exercise of power reference to age and legal practises, based on stereotypical prejudice or swell as assumption
Work and Employment
Youth affect employment chances, resitricted when, where and minimum wage, chance of employer, 14-15 UK cannot work more than 12 hours during school work. Under 12 not allowed do paid work. 16 min wag £4 hour, older more experience 16% unemployment rate 16-24 yr rising. 700,000 never had job, lower unemployment rate in countries with vocational route into employment through formal education
Elderly hard once leave work, discrimination, financial issues, media. Survey MORI 38% discrimination cases age filed after 2006, legislation around retirement age prejudice and discrimination, Currently 65 making it equal for women.
Structuralist society determines age someone is when they retire, not aid inequality, financial security not grow old, work until they drop. 2021 33% UK population over 55. demographic time bomb. risk elderly, lot care, improvement health care, financial wealth, voluntary. Jones et al (2010) idea retirement changes completely, social redundancy and loneliness seen positive part of life course, flexibility. constructed as lifestyle, creative renewal and freedom opportunity new interests, reduce pensions, insecurity, unemployment
Bengston et al (1997) theoretical development in gerontology (biological, psychological and social process research.
Parsons (1977) interconnected roles, important in institutions in society is to maintain social stability. The rebellious youth and dependent elderly. youth bridge childhood to adulthood.
Elderly may need to change their role for example becoming caregivers
Disengagement theory
Cummings & Henry (1961) all people will die, ageing personal ability likely to deteriorate and there is need for a individual to be relived of some of their responsibilities and roles
Process help manage possible social instability (retirement age allows other take role elderly no longer fulfill)
Marxist focus on need of capitalism when trying to explain inequalities
Pros of Youth provide energy, new skills, tech, may lack skills therefore cheaper
Pros of Elderly free childcare
Reserve army of labour: group of people who used as secondary source of labour in boom time (retail, home)
Phillipson (1982) elderly historical been used as reserve army of labour, role grown. Age inequality seen social construct benefit bourgeoisie
Gramsci (1971) false consciousness explain people do not realise their exploitation, through concessions their receive (pension, bus pass) legitimising the need for power of authority, elderly and youth not question exploitation through labour
Townsend & Phillips (1982) elderly retire needs of economy met young more productive employees take place, elderly dependent society
vs Functionalist (Marxist)
ignore factors class, gender, nationality, disability and wealth. some elderly not symmetrically marginalised are able work into old age (judges, politicians)
Arber & Sinn (1991) women inequality, age effect power and status, older women more men. Men status direct link employment, women status reproductive cycle, childbearing age
older women feel pressure stay looking young, cosmetics
Weberian Theory
to understand complex nature of inequality look class, status and party Weber
Parkin (1968) elderly socially segregated, media (invisibility from positive portrayal) employment (retirement) living (care homes)
Activity Theory
Statham (2011) grandparents being used as childcare may change
Havinghurst (1961) inequality more about social interaction than just age criticism of disengagement theory
Cummings & Henry (1961) without ageing persons abilities likely to deteriorate is a need for individuals to be relived some responsibilities
Exchange Theory
Turner (1989) in W societies young and old become stigmatised due not having what it takes to gain a high status, not control social resources. groups dependent low status. Geronotocracy (older) power and age interlinked
Interactionalist Labelling Theory
Victor (1994) elderly labelled 'useless, lovely, dependent and unable to learn' those stereotypes come true due to self fulfilling prophecy (media products believe, replace elderly with young cause old to become these things)
Some suggest people age becomes invisible and marganislised, consumer culture shows different picture
The 'grey pound' strong, SKIER (spending kids inheritance) GRUMPY (grown up urban professional)
Blaikie 1999) pos ageing, those who are wealth enough retire early, retirement is a positive thing, fourth age filled with active but leisure based activity
Powell (2001) 'again like someone has kidnapped you and made you old, yet behind the appearance you have the same thoughts you had when you were young'
Mask of old age suggest inequalities that elderly face therefore more do with labelling than age
Powell & biggs (2000) some fight old age with new tech and cosmetic surgery
New idea of homogenous age groups all given same high or low status ignore differences related to ethnicity, class, gender