Age and identity Flashcards
what did sociologists observe about age?
that age is the only aspect of identity for which we all experience changing effects.
what did Bradley identify?
He identified 5 major stages of age identity in the UK - childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, old age
- evidence that in these 5 phases of life we experience varying statuses and these shape other people’s behaviour towards us.
* sociologists constantly argue that these major chronological stages of our lives are socially constructed. the ages at the stages start and end vary. eg when does childhood end?
how is childhood seen in the UK?
seen as socially constructed
- in the UK, childhood can be seen as time of innocence, dependence and vulnerability, in which the youngest members of society are protected.
how is childhood seen in other cultures?
may not be viewed as time of innocence. eg - many societies children work long hours and can even be soliders, marriages also happen at 12-13
what does Postman argue? - childhood
he argues that childhood emerged only when the spread of literacy enabled adults to shield their children from adult life
- also argues that the spread of media in the 20th cent has brought a decline in childhood
- ALL of this is evidence of childhood being a SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION
what age does youth tend to be associated with?
between 12-15 youth is socially constructed
how did youth emerge in the 50s?
the 50s saw the emergence of youth culture based on fashion and hairstyles, which adults found shocking, spending power in the 50s meant there was a new market in targeting young people.
e.g. through magazines and pop music
examples of how youth is socially constructed?
youth identity and youth subcultures examples of how we socially construct youth
- in many societies youth is not recognised as distinctive life stage. As soon as they hit puberty they go through a RITE of passage, which takes them from childhood directly to adulthood.
what did Margaret Mead argue? - Youth
argues that storm and stress isn’t found in all cultures, which indicates youth is a social construction
how is young adulthood and middle age characterised? - what age
very little said about normal ‘adulthood’ by researchers. Normally characterised by career and family. most form relationships, have children, establish careers, live independent from parents - middle age usually 40-50 yrs
what did Bradley argue? - Young adulthood and middle age
argues that it has a higher status than youth or old age-middle-aged people are running the country and hold power at work. but also seen as negative time as ‘youth’ is lost and old age comes closer –> sometimes associated with negative ideas such as mid-life crisis and ‘empty nest syndrome’
when does old age start? what does Roberts argue?
debated to start at retirement, during ages 65-85. but there is a huge difference between those years. Roberts argues that the UK admires youthful bodies, but sees old ageing bodies as representing ugliness.
what was found in Corner’s study? - old age
in his study old aged people described themselves with negative words, reflecting what is used by the media and popular culture. Old age was considered a burden for the ageing population. this shows that old people are labelled with negative connotations, which then leads to self-fulfilling prophecy.
what did Hockey and James argue? - old age
argue that old age and childhood are socially constructed in similar ways having lost their ‘personhood’ status. society suggests them to INFANTILISATION eg. the elederly live in care homes they are treated like children - can’t keep their own money, ask to be taken to toilet - routine was decided for them –> they’re assumed to be innocent and not sexually active creating self-fulfilling prophecy
How are identities changing? - what do postmodernists argue?
argue that trends such as living and working longer, anti-ageing products and procedures show how age is fluid and becoming less significant today.
How are identities changing? what does Pilcher argue?
argues that the stages of life are based on the relationships around family, work, and the economy. But in postmodern world, things are changing and fragmenting. since fertility treatments means having children later, age for having children is no longer a milestone, music and fashion are less associated with certain generations because of streaming and easy access.
How are identities changing? what does featherstone and hepworth argue?
argue that media’s image of ageing can lead to positive and negative stereotypes. However, it can also create new identities because when the population ages, more positive images can emerge.
eg - the popularity of retro fashion and sampling music from 60s bands, show that trends help dissolve the boundaries of age.
How are identities changing? what does Blaikre argue
argues that many media role models who are successful and attractive in older years are prevalent in today’s society
eg - the rolling stones, Madonna, mariah carey
how are identities NOT changing? - interactionists?
labelling of the elderly, self-fulfilling prophecy, INFANTILISATION
how are identities NOT changing? - marxists?
argue that the elderly are used as a reserve army of labour, with young and old
how are identities NOT changing? - in the media?
representation of age groups still differ eg. young people are still seen as deviant through explanations such as moral panics, and old people still seen as grumpy and senile
