Age

Question 1

Jones

Answer 1

attitude towards retirement has changed from being seen as time of loneliness to now being positive because of movement away form fixed retirement age e.g. early retirement allows more freedom

Question 2

1. ONS NEET statistics for youth unemployment

2. explanation for this ?

Answer 2

1. record high number of young people were NEET in 2020 (down by 43000 compared to 2019)
2. Covid-19 suspension of face-to-face interviews has meant that proportion of those who rent accommodation decreased while the proportion of those who own homes, increased

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Functionalist Theory
argues elderly people cannot physically maintain their workload however they’re still functionally important to ensure social stability

Question 4

2 pieces of evidence of elderly enforcing social stability in taking on new roles

Answer 4

1. Statham (2011) - grandparents care for grandkids allowing parents to further focus on their jobs
2. HSBC Report (2007) - grandparent saved families £50 billion in childcare costs

Question 5

1. what is the name of Cummings and Henry’s theory?

2. explain it

Answer 5

1. Functionalist/consensus: ‘Disengagement Theory’
2. As the elderly approach death, it is appropriate that they disengage w/ their responsibilities e.g. leaving the workforce –> allows younger gen to take up these positions

Question 6

evaluation of consensus theories

Answer 6

1. the way in which society ages is not homogenous

2. consensus theories tend to ignore the negative experiences of the elderly