Age Inequality - 20 marker Flashcards
Identify the 2 areas of life in which age inequality occurs.
1) Poverty
2) The workplace
Give a piece of evidence for age inequality in poverty - 1a.
53% of child poverty in Tower Hamlets compared to 10% in Berkshire.
- End Child Poverty (2016)
Identify a supporting sociologist for age inequality in poverty - 1a.
Hirsch (2006) argues that poverty causes material and social hardships for children which affects their educational attainment, leaving them at further risk of poverty.
Give an explanation for evidence 1a of age inequality in poverty.
Lone parent households are more likely to experience poverty due to only having one income meaning there is no disposable income to improve standards of living (especially in more affluent areas such as London). This material deprivation can affect a child’s education in that they lower their aspirations in order to receive immediate gratification of getting a job straight away to provide another income as soon as possible.
How does evidence 1a explain age inequality in poverty.
Children therefore experience age inequality due to lack of life chances of gaining more qualifications for better jobs in the future and so have a reduced chance of improving their situation.
Give a piece of evidence for age inequality in poverty - 1b.
86% of materially deprived pensioners were unable to pay bills.
- DWP (2013)
Identify a supporting sociologist for age inequality in poverty - 1b.
Phillipson (2010) argued that state pensions were inadequate and left the elderly dependent on additional benefits.
Give an explanation for evidence 1b of age inequality in poverty.
Due to an ageing population pensions are in crisis as Government funding can no longer sustain elderly costs of living as care homes increase in expense (average of £800 per week) and so elderly people are facing poverty as a result of the lack of benefits.
How does evidence 1b explain age inequality in poverty.
The elderly therefore experience age inequality as dependency on the state suggests lower status in society and limits their opportunities outside of this dependency. Austerity also causes problems such as not having enough money to treat health problems which can reduce life expectancy.
Give a piece of evidence for age inequality in the workplace - 2a.
18-21 year olds earn an average of £1,300 per month compared to £2,500 for 40-49 year olds.
- Instant Offices (2016)
Identify a supporting sociologist for age inequality in the workplace - 2a.
Eisenstadt (1956) stated that children have less status than adults and that they should be socialised into their adult roles over time.
Give an explanation for evidence 2a of age inequality in the workplace.
Functionalists argue that inequality here is justified as children need to move through stages of life harmoniously and so secondary labour allows for the smooth transition into more responsibility of things like paying off loans and having a mortgage.
How does evidence 2a explain age inequality in the workplace.
Young people therefore experience age inequality in the workplace due to receiving lower pay to support the transition into more responsible roles.
Give a piece of evidence for age inequality in the workplace - 2b.
1/5 of over 65 year olds say they have experienced ageism in the UK with 15% saying it occurred when applying for jobs.
- ComRes Report (2016)
Identify a supporting sociologist for age inequality in the workplace - 2b.
Cummings and Henry (1961) argue that with ageing, a person’s abilities are likely to deteriorate and so there is a need for them to ‘disengage’ ftom society to maintain stability with able workers.
