Age inequality

Question 1

Young and Elderly act as a Reserve Army of Labour in Capitalist society - Phillipson

Answer 1

Zero hour contracts = employees given work when available pensions + sick pay not provided for

many elderly take these jobs

Question 2

individuals kept in false consciousness about their exploited position - Gramsci

Answer 2

False consciousness = people don’t realise their exploitation through concessions they receive e.g. pensions, child benefit

creates form of dependency - Youth + elderly don’t question exploitation + accept zero hour contracts as feel getting benefit back

Question 3

Elderly are forced to become dependent to create space in the labour market for young , productive workers - Phillipson and Townsend

Answer 3

Elderly are seen as a burden in the economy because capitalism needs young productive workers to serve needs of Capitalism

institutionalised dependency = elderly forced to retire needs of economy met through making space for young workers

as result elderly status in society lowers + not seen as valuable as when they working

Question 4

Capitalist class manipulates elderly into retiring and uses them as a Scapegoat for societal issues - Vincent

Answer 4

Pensions creates disadvantages as too low - creates problems for women who are more likely to become dependent on state pensions because would’ve worked less than full time + saved for private pension

retirement age is a social construct to ensure the elderly have a clear idea of what age the state would prefer them to retire to make way for a new younger workforce.