Age inequality

Question 1

Parsons- youth
What kind of differences?
Contributes to?
Therefore what do differences allow society to do?
Age... is.... for society?
What happens during childhood?
What is developed during adolescence?

Answer 1

Age related differences contribute to the overall functioning of the social system
Differences lead to a smooth functioning society
Therefore age strata is functional for society as childhood socialises children into the culture of society meaning they learn the norms and values of different social roles which will allow them to contribute to society as adults.
Adolescence is a stage of developing independence

Question 2

Eisenstradt- youth
What do differential age group allow for? (2)- what does this allow for society?
Develop from (status of a child) to (status of an adult)?
What provides a forum for frustrations? What can be difficult and emotionally stressful?
Therefore, what is youth culture?
What do shared interests create a sense of?

Answer 2

Differential age groups allow for learning and acquiring new social roles which contribute to the cohesion and solidarity.
Develop from the ascribed status of being a child to the achieved status of individual adult
Being a part of a subculture provides a forum for frustrations, breaking away from the family can be difficult and emotionally stressful.
As a result youth culture is inherently binding as shared interests with peers creates a sense of community

Question 3

Parsons- middle age

What are adopted?

Answer 3

Gender roles adopted at middle age
women - expressive
men - instrumental

Question 4

Parsons- old age

Elderly

Answer 4

Disengagement

lower status, abandon social oles for the younger generation

Question 5

Cumming and Henry
What theory?
Disengagement from? beneficial to? why?

Answer 5

Disengagement theory
The process of disengagement from previous social roles is beneficial for social order as jobs can be given to the younger generation