age inequality Flashcards
Arber and Ginn (1991)
feminist
wrote that when looking at women and inequality, factors such as age will affect their power and status.
Itzin (1990)
feminist
claimed that women face a double standard. Men’s status is directly related to employment, whereas women’s status is linked to their reproductive cycle. In a patriarchal society, women’s status devalues after childbearing age. Put simply, older women, regardless of wealth and background, have a lower status.
Daly (1979)
feminist
wrote that this had similarities to many global practices that women are made to comply with, such as genital mutilation, in that women are expected to confirm to certain physical standards, but no such expectations are placed on men.
Parsons (1977)
functionalist
Some elderly people become less physically able to maintain their roles in society specifically in the world of work.
Functionalists such as Parsons would view this in terms of social roles and social stability.
As elderly may need to change roles that they can no longer fulfil, new role are to be acquired.
For example, the elderly have become an invaluable source of free childcare for many families, with grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
Eisenstadt agreed that differential age groups lean new roles that lead to further cohesion and solitary in society.
Cummings and Henry (1961)
functionalist
disengagement theory that they use to explain age inequality starts with the idea that all people will die. With ageing, a person’s abilities are likely to deteriorate. As this process happens, there is a mutual need for the individual to be relieved of some of their responsibilities and roles. A functionalist would recognise that people leaving their role in society causes a gap that must be filled for social stability to be maintained. A process of disengagement helps to manage that possible social instability. Having retirement age allows others to take on the roles that the elderly can no longer fulfil.
Marxist argument about age
Old people and young people are more likely to take up these contracts because of the neglect of opportunities they face so bourgeoisie utilise this so that they do not need to pay pensions and sick pay.
Phillipson (1982)
marxist
claimed that the elderly has historically been used as a reserve army of labour, but that this role has grown in recent years.
For example, growing market of ‘zero-hours contracts’, where employees are only given work when work is available, but have to be free to work regardless.
Drawback of zero-hour contract is benefits such as pensions and sick pay are not given.
Unemployed youth and elderly (income for post-retirement) are more likely to take up these contracts.
weber
argues age inequality is affected by class, party and status.
weber : How does one’s market position affect the status of the elderly and the young.
If someone does not have the skills required in the marketplace e.g. elderly do not have technological skills, they will suffer low status.
weber:Do all elderly suffer the same low status, explain
No because if someone is elderly and upper class, they will not suffer the same because their financial resources meant hey could continue to still live a comfortable live e.g. the queen will not lose her status because of her social position and wealth.
explain how Negatively Privileged status group – Parkin (1968) supports weber theory on age inequality
The elderly are often socially, segregated from society in the media, through invisibility from positive portrayal, in employment, through retirement and even in living arrangements, often in care homes.
