Age: Functionalism

Question 1

Consensus:

Answer 1

• Maintaining social order is important
• Every part of society is there for a reason and has a function
• Inequality is the victim’s fault – they don’t have the skills necessary

Question 2

Parsons:

Answer 2

• Certain age group norms threaten the stability of society
• E.g. rebellious youths or dependent elderly
• Society can manage these issues
• E.g. a school child gets sanctioned for fighting at school, 3-day exclusion, which makes them learn the importance of education and they don’t do it again

Question 3

Parsons and Eisenstadt:

Answer 3

• Youth is a time for individuals to grow up and learn their adult roles
• These adult roles are imperative to society
• Parsons looked at the analogy of childhood and adulthood being bridged by youth culture

Question 4

Disengagement theory: Cummings and Henry

Answer 4

• Look specifically at older people
• With ageing a persons abilities deteriorate
• As this happens, there is mutual respect that the individual needs to be relieved of some responsibilities
• This leaves a gap in society that must be filled for social mobility to be maintained
• Disengagement helps to manage that possible social instability
• E.g. By having a retirement age it allows a managed disengagement, allowing others to take on the roles that older people can no longer fulfil

Question 5

Evaluation of functionalist view

Answer 5

• Not all elderly people deteriorate in ability at a certain age/ the same time
• This view only looks at the positive side of ageing
• Not all youths leave deviance behind – continue deviance in adulthood