Age inequality

Question 1

Old people are disadvantaged

Digital social world

Answer 1

• Prensky- old people= digital immigrants (grew up before technology) so face disadvantages: networking opportunities, careers, online banking/doctor’s appointments
• Boyle- iGeneration more receptive to learning new skills due to confidence and familiarity online, so are more employable

Question 2

Young people are disadvantaged

Digital social world

Answer 2

• Gardner and Davis- young people obsessed with their online identity and spend time managing others’ impressions of them
• Twenge- youth fear negative reaction to their online identity- causes rising levels of anxiety

Question 3

Old people disadvantaged

Crime

Answer 3

• Islington crime survery- crime has a more significant impact on older victims. Over 45 assault victims were more likely to be injured and take time off work- greater impact on their lives

Question 4

Young people disadvantaged

Crime

Answer 4

• S.Cohen- young people are paid excessive attention to by the mass media- creating moral panics
• E.g: mods and rockers created moral panic, labelling led to increased police surveillance and control
• Youth labelled by police, creates a self fulfilling prophecy where the label leads to more criminality

Question 5

There is horizontal segregation within the workplace

Workplace

Answer 5

• Barron and Norris- dual labour market theory suggests that both old and young people are more liekly to be in the secondary labour market vs the middle aged
• Low job security, limited career development opportunities, few work related benefits, zero hour contracts

Question 6

Older adults may face workplace discrimination

Workplace

Answer 6

• Ageism= negative stereotyping/ discrimination against people on the grounds of their age
• Jenkins- ageism in hotel industry- indirect age discrimination in terms of recruitment and selection for employment (e.g: recruitment via interent/colleges, focus on appearance- indirect discrimination)
• Rest Less- older adults more likely to be made redundant- workers in their 50s are 2x as likely to be made redundant than those in their 40s (loss of income, stress, anxiety)

Question 7

Young adults may face workplace discrimination

Workplace

Answer 7

• Loretto- young employees often come across discriminatory practices (e.g: poorer working conditions, attitude of mistrust relating to skills, competence, commitment)
• Legal for employers to pay someone differently based on age, despite doing the same job:
• Minimum wage levels UK set by age until 21 years (under 18= £6.40)
• Unison- national minimum wage bands discriminate against youth, campaign for law change to scrap age rates- #OneWageAnyAge
• Conservative gov= justify youth rates, same pay= more youth unemployment

Question 8

Inequality in unemployment rates

Workplace

Answer 8

• Unemployment figures= highest among young adults (16-24)
• ONS data (2023)= 11% of 16-24 year olds are neither employed, in education, or training vs 4% overall rate
• In terms of crisis, youth lose jobs
• E.g: Covid 19= youth more likely to work in hospitality/entertainment sectors- highest growth of unemployment during covid (reduced susceptibilty to illness, loss of self-esteem, lead to depression)