Chapter 12

Aging and Inequality Based on Age

Chapter Outline The Social Significance of Age Age in Global Perspective Age and the Life Course in Contemporary

Society Inequalities Related to Aging

Chapter Outline Living Arrangements for Older Adults Sociological Perspectives on Aging Death and Dying Aging in the Future

Age Chronological age is a person’s age

based on date of birth. Most of us estimate a person’s age on the

basis of functional age - observable individual attributes such as physical appearance, mobility, strength, coordination, and mental capacity that are used to assign people to age categories.

How Much Do You Know About Aging and Age-Based Discrimination?

True or False? Most older persons have serious

physical or mental disabilities.

How Much Do You Know About Aging and Age-Based Discrimination?

False Only about 14% of older people have

severe functional limitations; at age 85 or over, 31% have severe disabilities.

How Much Do You Know About Aging and Age-Based Discrimination?

True or False? Scientific studies have documented the

fact that women age faster than men do.

How Much Do You Know About Aging and Age-Based Discrimination

False. No studies have documented that women

actually age faster than men. However, some scholars have noted a “double standard” of aging that places older women at a disadvantage with respect to older men because women’s worth in the United States is often defined in terms of physical appearance.

Question _______________ age refers to a

person’s age based on date of birth.

a. chronological

b. functional

c. expectant

d. average

Answer: a Chronological age refers to a person’s

age based on date of birth.

Graying of America The aging of the U.S. population resulted from

increased life expectancy and a decrease in birth rates. In 1900, about 4% of the U.S. population

was over age 65. By 1980, that number rose to about 11%. In 2002, it rose to 14%. By 2050, about 20% of the population will be

age 65 or older.

Life Expectancy The average number of years that a

group of people born in the same year could expect to live.

A cohort is a group of people born within a specified period of time.

Gerontology The study of aging and older people. Social gerontology, is the study of the

social (nonphysical) aspects of aging, including such topics as the societal consequences of an aging population and the personal experience of aging.

Question Most older people in our society are

independent and mobile.

a. Strongly agree

b. Agree somewhat

c. Unsure

d. Disagree somewhat

e. Strongly disagree

U.S. Population Growth, 1980–2000

Selected Life Expectancies by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex, 2000

% Distribution of U.S. Population by Age, 2000–2050 (projected)

U.S. Age Pyramid by Age and Sex, 2000 (in millions)

Age in Historical and Contemporary Perspectives People are assigned to different roles and

positions based on the age structure and role structure in a particular society.

Age structure is the number of people of each age level within the society.

Role structure is the number and type of positions available to them.

Views of Aging in Preindustrial and Industrialized Societies

In preindustrial societies, people of all ages are expected to share the work, and the contributions of older people are valued.

In industrialized societies, older people are often expected to retire so that younger people may take their place.

Age Stratification Inequalities, differences, segregation, or

conflict between age groups.

Question _________ structure is the number of

people of each age level within society.

a. role

b. societal

c. age

d. hierarchical

Answer: c Age structure is the number of people of

each age level within society.

Infancy and Childhood (Birth to 12 ) Children are among the most powerless

and vulnerable people in society. Every day in the United States 1 out of

every 5 infants are born into poverty. Over 3,000 children die from gunshot

wounds every year. Every 11 seconds a child is reported

abused or neglected.

Adolescence (13 to 18) Many adolescents face conflicting demands to

attend school and to make money. Juvenile laws define truancy or running away as

forms of delinquency - these would not be offenses if committed by an adult.

Despite laws to control working conditions, many adolescents are employed in settings with hazardous working conditions, low wages, no benefits, and long work hours.

Young Adulthood (19-39) During this time people are expected to

get married, have children, and get a job. Individuals who do not get married by age

39 are often quizzed about their intentions and their sexual orientation.

Those who are unable to find steady employment tend to become suspect because they have not “settled down”.

Middle Adulthood (40-65) As people progress through middle

adulthood, they experience senescence (primary aging) in the form of molecular and cellular changes in the body. Wrinkles and gray hair are visible signs

of senescence.

Middle Adulthood (40-65) Women undergo menopause - the

cessation of the menstrual cycle caused by a gradual decline in the body’s production of the “female” hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Men undergo a climacteric, in which the production of the “male” hormone testosterone decreases.

Middle Adulthood (40-65) Middle adulthood for some people represents

the time during which They have the highest levels of income and

prestige. They leave the problems of child rearing

behind them and are content with their spouse of many years.

They may have grandchildren, who give them another tie to the future.

Late Adulthood (65 and older) Some gerontologists subdivide late

adulthood into three categories:

1. the “young-old” (ages 65 to 74)

2. the “old-old” (ages 75 to 85)

3. the “oldest old” (over age 85)

% of Resident Population Age 65 and Older by State

Ageism Ageism is prejudice and discrimination

against people on the basis of age, particularly against older persons.

Ageism against older persons is rooted in the assumption that people become unattractive, unintelligent, asexual, unemployable, and mentally incompetent as they grow older.

Question About how often did you have sex during

the last 12 months?

GSS National Data

Age <30 30-49 50 and up

Not at all 11% 9.8% 43.8%

Month/less 29.5% 35.9% 33.4%

Weekly/more

59.6% 54.3% 22.7%

Percentage of Persons Age 65+ Below Poverty Level

Question I don't value older people in our society

as much as younger people.

a. Strongly agree

b. Agree somewhat

c. Unsure

d. Disagree somewhat

e. Strongly disagree

Elder Abuse As many as 1.6 million older people in the

U.S. are victims of abuse each year. Physical abuse includes malnutrition,

injuries and dislocations. Psychological abuse includes verbal

assaults, threats, fear, and social isolation.

Elder Abuse Financial exploitation involves theft or misuse of

the older person’s money or property. Medical abuse is when medicine is withheld or

improperly administered. Neglect is not providing sufficient care.

Question Stereotypes regarding older persons

reinforce:

a. age stratification

b. ageism

c. age discrimination

d. gerontocism

Answer: b Stereotypes regarding older persons

reinforce ageism.

Functionalist Perspectives on Aging Functionalist perspectives focus on how older

persons adjust to their changing roles in society.

According to sociologist Talcott Parsons, the roles of older persons need to be redefined by society.

He suggested that devaluing the contributions of older persons is dysfunctional for society; older persons often have knowledge and wisdom to share with younger people.

Disengagement Theory According to disengagement theory, older

persons make a normal and healthy adjustment to aging when they detach themselves from their social roles and prepare for their eventual death.

Disengagement aids a gradual and orderly transfer of statuses and roles from one generation to the next; an abrupt change would result in chaos.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives on Aging Symbolic interactionist perspectives

examine the connection between personal satisfaction in a person’s later years and a high level of activity.

Activity theory states that people tend to shift gears in late middle age and find substitutes for previous statuses, roles, and activities.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives on Aging The concept of continuity - people constantly

attempt to maintain their self-esteem and lifelong principles and practices and they simply adjust to feedback from and needs of others as they grow older.

Role theory asks: What roles are available for older people? Some theorists note that industrialized,

urbanized societies do not have roles for older people.

Conflict Perspectives on Aging Conflict analysis draws attention to the diversity

in the older population. Differences in social class, gender, and

race/ethnicity divide older people just as they do everyone else.

The conflict perspective adds to our understanding of aging by focusing on how capitalism devalues older people, especially women.

Question Medical and health insurance premiums

should not be based on age of the recipient.

a. Strongly agreeb. Agree somewhatc. Unsured. Disagree somewhate. Strongly disagree

Death and Dying There are three frameworks for explaining

how people cope with the process of dying:

the stage-based approach the dying trajectory the task-based approach . The stage-based approach was

popularized

Stage-based Framework: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Five stages in the dying process:

1. Denial and isolation (“Not me!”)

2. Anger and resentment (“Why me?”)

3. Bargaining and an attempt to postpone (“Yes me, but . . . “—negotiating for divine intervention)

4. Depression and sense of loss

5. Acceptance.

Dying Trajectory Framework Focuses on the perceived course of dying and

the expected time of death. The process of dying involves three phases:

1. The acute phase, characterized by the expression of maximum anxiety or fear.

2. The chronic phase, characterized by a decline in anxiety as the person confronts reality.

3. The terminal phase, characterized by the dying person’s withdrawal from others.

Task-based Framework The dying person should perform tasks that

make dying easier on their loved ones and themselves. Physical tasks to satisfy bodily needs. Psychological tasks to increase security,

autonomy, and richness of experience. Social tasks sustain interpersonal

attachments. Spiritual tasks help people develop, or

reaffirm spiritual energy and foster hope.

Quick Quiz

1. Observable individual attributes such as physical appearance, mobility, strength, coordination, and mental capacity that are used to assign people to age categories are called:

a. chronological age

b. functional age

c. developmental age

d. gerontological age

Answer: b Observable individual attributes such as

physical appearance, mobility, strength, coordination, and mental capacity that are used to assign people to age categories are called: functional age.

2. The graying of America refers to:

a. Americans living longer.

b. Americans taking care of older adults.

c. the vanishing of clear cut borders between what is old and what is not.

d. longer life expectancy combined with an increase in birth rates.

Answer: a The graying of America refers to

Americans living longer.

3. The study of aging and older people is called:

a. Sociology

b. Geriatrics

c. Gerontology

d. Epidemiology

Answer: c The study of aging and older people is

called gerontology.

4. A cohort is:

a. a group of people born within a specified period of time.

b. a group of people who share a similar descent.

c. a group of people who share the same gender.

d. a group of people who share the same racial background.

Answer: a A cohort is a group of people born

within a specified period of time.

5. Which of these is not one of the three types of elder abuse?

a. physical abuse

b. medical abuse

c. housing abuse

d. psychological abuse

Answer: c Housing abuse is not one of the three

types of elder abuse.

6. By the year 2050, there will be an estimated __________________ people in the United States age 65 and older.

a. 50 million

b. 80 million

c. 100 million

d. 120 million

Answer: b By the year 2050, there will be an

estimated 80 million people in the United States age 65 and older.