Chapter 12-Aging and Inequality Based on Age

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.

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

*Housing abuse* is not one of the three types of elder abuse.

Elder Abuse

*Physical abuse includes malnutrition, injuries and dislocations* Psychological abuse includes verbal assaults, threats, fear, and social isolation. 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.

Inequalities

*differences, segregation, or conflict between age groups* A system of inequalities linked to age. In Western societies, for example, both the old and the young are perceived as relatively incompetent and excluded from much social life. Being too young or too old = unfairness.

Bereavement

*needs are intense* and often *health-care systems are caught off-guard and ill-prepared* to support those in need.

industrialized societies

*older people are often expected to retire* so that *younger people may take their place*

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.

Gerontology

*"to talk about old age"* is the study of the *social, psychological and biological aspects of aging*

senescence

*(primary aging)* in the *form of molecular and cellular changes in the body* ex. graying/wrinkling

_________ structure is the number of people of each age level within society. a) role b) societal c) age d) hierarchical

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

_______________ age refers to a person's age based on date of birth. a) chronological b) functional c) expectant d) average

*Chronological* age refers to a person's age based on date of birth.

Stage-based Framework: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

*Five stages in the dying process*: Denial and isolation ("Not me!") Anger and resentment ("Why me?") Bargaining and an attempt to postpone ("Yes me, but . . . "—negotiating for divine intervention) Depression and sense of loss 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. 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.

Dying trajectories

*patterns of death*, was first suggested in 1965 by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss. Although each death is unique, they found patterns of dying associated with different types of illnesses. These patterns have helped physicians and end-of-life health-care teams have a better understanding of what is likely to happen and when to provide support as well as palliative and spiritual care for the dying and their loved ones. The trajectory for sudden death from accidents, violence, and sudden severe illness such as a heart attack or stroke is characterized by a rapid downward slant. The patient as well as the family is not prepared for death, and there has usually been no time for goodbyes. There may be many regrets and a lot of guilt associated with this sudden, unexpected loss.

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.

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

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

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*

Late Adulthood (65 and older)

Some gerontologists subdivide late adulthood into three categories: *the "young-old" (ages 65 to 74)* *the "old-old" (ages 75 to 85)* *the "oldest old" (over age 85)*

Stereotypes regarding older persons reinforce: a) age stratification b) ageism c) age discrimination d) gerontocism

Stereotypes regarding older persons reinforce *ageism*

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*. Some theorists note that industrialized, urbanized societies do not have roles for older people.

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.

The graying of America refers to *Americans living longer.*

The study of aging and older people is called: a) Sociology b) Geriatrics c) Gerontology d) Epidemiology

The study of aging and older people is called *gerontology*

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

chronic phase

characterized by a *decline in anxiety as the person confronts reality.*

acute phase

characterized by the *expression of maximum anxiety or fear.*

terminal phase

characterized by the dying person's *withdrawal from others.*

Spiritual tasks

help people *develop, or reaffirm spiritual energy and foster hope.*

Ageing

in humans refers to a *multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change*

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, unemployable, and mentally incompetent as they grow older. older people are most frequently its target and it may often result in forced retirement. Stereotyping of the elderly is also an aspect of ageism

cohort

is a *group of people born within a specified period of time*

Chronological age

is a person's age based on *date of birth*. Therefore, your *actual age*

Life expectancy

is the *average number of years of life remaining at a given age*

Role structure

is the *number and type of positions available to them.* Each generation has a different role i.e. 200 years ago children worked on the farms for survival.

Age structure

is the *number of people of each age level within the society*

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. Social gerontology is a *multi-disciplinary sub-field that specializes in studying or working with older adults.*

functional age

observable individual attributes such as *physical appearance, mobility, strength, coordination, and mental capacity* that are used to *assign people to age categories*

Secondary aging

occurs as a *result of environmental factors and lifestyle choices*. For example, smoking, drinking heavily, and limited amount of exercise are factors that affect the aging process. Also living in areas with a great amount of pollution are at greater risk of having chronic illnesses and diseases associated with the external factors.

preindustrial societies

people of all ages are *expected to share the work*, and the *contributions of older people are valued* Primitive people live in small groups. Everyone does some of the work needed to survive: hunting, food gathering, making clothes and tools, cooking, caring for babies, and so on. Not everyone does the same work.

Symbolic inter-actionist

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*. Studies have confirmed that healthy people who remain active have a higher level of life satisfaction than do those who are inactive or in ill health.

Social tasks

sustain *interpersonal attachments.*

Psychological tasks

to increase *security, autonomy, and richness of experience.*

Physical tasks

to satisfy *bodily needs.*

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 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. *Secondary aging occurs as a result of environmental factors and lifestyle choices.* For example, smoking, drinking heavily, and limited amount of exercise are factors that affect the aging process. Also living in areas with a great amount of pollution are at greater risk of having chronic illnesses and diseases associated with the external factors.

By the year 2050, there will be an estimated __________________ people in the United States age 65 and older. 50 million 80 million 100 million 120 million

By the year 2050, there will be an estimated *80 million* people in the United States age 65 and older.

Infancy and Childhood (Birth to 12 )

Children are among the *most powerless and vulnerable* people in society. Every day in the United States many are born into poverty. Several children die from gunshot wounds every year. Every couple of seconds a child is reported abused or neglected. Early socialization plays a significant role in a child's experiences and their quality of life. Many children are confronted with an array of problems in their families in addition to marital instability, an increase of single-parent households, or parents with dual full time employment.

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 focuses on how capitalism devalues older people.

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 a certain age are often quizzed about their intentions. Those who are unable to find steady employment tend to become suspect because they have not "settled down". People who are unable to earn income and pay into Social Security or Roth plans or other retirement plans in early adulthood typically find themselves disadvantaged as they enter middle and late adulthood.

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, some adolescents are employed in settings with hazardous working conditions, low wages, no benefits, and long work hours. American adults have regarded adolescents with a hope and fore bonding in the past although now many adults see adolescents as a "problem for society."