marxist explanations of age inequality
reserve army of labour
legitimation of authority
those in RAL are more likely to take such contracts
ONS: those in full time education (youth 16-24) and the elderly (65+) are most likely to work zero-hour contracts
can be seen in zero-hour contracts - workers have to be available anytime and benefits such as pensions and sick pay aren't given
youth and elderly can be used in times of boom as temporary flexible labour
as a result, youth don't question zero-hour contracts (e.g., internships)
we accept idea of meritocracy and exploitation because we get concessions
creates form of dependency, legitimising need for authority
Gramsci claims people don't realise they're being exploited as they're giving concessions e.g., pensions, benefits
political economy theory
Grey Power
forced dependency as old depend on society as they are denied access to work
institutional marginalisation - the elderly is made to retire while youth take their place
Townsend and Phillipson states capitalism needs to renew workers (maximise output and profit) - places elderly people in negative position (alienation, marginalisation)
see middle class as having enough money to have disposable income after retirement and still serve some purpose to capitalist society
older middle class are an entire market e.g., life insurance, funeral payments, cosmetics
Vincent
argued in a capitalist society, the status of people is defined by income
elderly have no income, seen as a burden
ageism experienced in different ways in different societies - where ageism is more severe is in societies that focus on material possession
young seen as cheap pool of labour due to lower wages