Age inequality

Question 1

A person’s social position is based on a combination of their class, status and party - Age directly influences a person’s social class
(Weber)

Answer 1

Social position is determined by class, status, and party, with ageism
affecting young and elderly individuals. Market position affects social class, with young people lacking qualifications and low life chances, while elderly individuals lack technological skills.

Question 2

The young and some elderly groups are more likely to hold lower positions within the marketplace ( Barron and Norris)

Answer 2

The labour market consists of the
primary (full-time, well-paid,
permanent jobs) and secondary (part-time, low-paid, temporary jobs). Young people and elderly are in secondary jobs due to technological advancements or negative assumptions, while middle-aged people dominate
primary. Young people are increasingly in secondary jobs.

Question 3

Some age groups face a lower status in society due to their market position
(Parkin)

Answer 3

The young and elderly are negatively privileged status groups, often marginalized by media portrayals and social segregation. They are treated unfairly, with less secure contracts, and often pushed
out of labor market positions,
leading to a self-fulfilling
prophecy.

Question 4

Young and elderly people lack status due to the lack of reciprocity that they can provide others
(Turner)

Answer 4

The ‘exchange theory’ suggests
that social resources are controlled by individuals, while The reciprocity-maturation curve of ageing indicates low status in dependent groups. Inequality affects economic capital and society values, with youth and elderly lacking political power and desirable working conditions.