Chapter 13 sociology

percent 65+

14.1

baby boomer

1946-1964

primary aging

Biological factors such as molecular and cellular change

gerontology

a field of science that seeks to understand the process of aging and the challenges encountered as seniors grow older

cohort

a group of people who share a statistical or demographic trait. People belonging to the same age cohort were born in the same time frame

grief

a psychological, emotional, and social response to the feelings of loss that accompanies death or a similar event

selective optimization with compensation theory

a theory based on the idea that successful personal development throughout the life course and subsequent mastery of the challenges associated with everyday life are based on the components of selection, optimization, and compensation

continuity theory

a theory which states that the elderly make specific choices to maintain consistency in internal (personality structure, beliefs) and external structures (relationships), remaining active and involved throughout their elder years

activity theory

a theory which suggests that for individuals to enjoy old age and feel satisfied, they must maintain activities and find a replacement for the statuses and associated roles they have left behind as they aged

secondary aging

aging that occurs due to controllable factors such as lack of physical exercise and poor diet

Incidence od elder poverty in 21st century is

decreasing

Filial Piety

deference and respect to one's parents and ancestors in all things

subculture of aging theory

elders will disengage from society and develop new patterns of interaction with peers who share common backgrounds and interests.

US elderly poverty rate is

increasing

old

is a socially defined concept

erik Erikson

overcoming despair to achieve integrity

age stratification theory

that members of society might be stratified by age, just as they are stratified by race, class, and gender

senescence

the aging process, including biological, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual changes

Gerotranscendence

the idea that as people age, they transcend the limited views of life they held in earlier times

dependency ratio

the number of nonproductive citizens (young, disabled, or elderly) to productive working citizens (Bartram and Roe 2005).

modernization theory

the primary cause of the elderly losing power and influence in society are the parallel forces of industrialization and modernization

thanatology

the systematic study of death and dying

gerontocracy

type of social structure wherein the power is held by a society's oldest members

exchange theory

we experience an increased dependence as we age and must increasingly submit to the will of others because we have fewer ways of compelling others to submit to us.

disengagement theory

withdrawing from society and social relationships is a natural part of growing old

most centenarians are

women

early post retirement

young-old