Age Inequality

Question 1

How is age a ‘social construction’?

Answer 1

The concept of age was created by society leading to perception of age depending on culture.

Question 2

Define ‘ageism’.

Answer 2

Discrimination experienced as a result of age.

Question 3

Identify Butler’s (1969) 3 dimensions of ageism.

Answer 3

1) Prejudicial attitudes
2) Discriminatory actions
3) Institutional ageism

Question 4

What positive life chances may the young experience?

Answer 4

• More choice in what they want their future to be (e.g. choosing certain subjects in education)
• Less responsibilities with mortgages and debt and so can spend their disposable income on nice things

Question 5

What inequalities may the young experience?

Answer 5

• Limited experience and so limited opportunities in work

- Cheap secondary sector labour leads to exploitation

Question 6

What positive life chances may the middle-aged experience?

Answer 6

• More stable part of life with having a house and a job

Question 7

What inequalities may the middle-aged experience?

Answer 7

• Limited access to part-time work if have a child as often given to young people
• Trapped as need to look after young and old generation

Question 8

What positive life chances may the elderly experience?

Answer 8

• More work opportunities if viewed as valuable due to more experience

Question 9

What inequalities may the elderly experience?

Answer 9

• Limited by physical health
• Live in poverty due to pension crisis
• Some employees may believe they are ‘too old’ for a particular job
• Retirement age increasing limits work as part-time is more often given to young

Question 10

Give evidence for elderly people experiencing inequality due to living in poverty.

Answer 10

86% of materially deprived pensioners were unable to pay bills.
- DWP (2013)

Question 11

Give evidence for the ageing population.

Answer 11

The number of people over 85 in the UK is predicted to double in the next 23 years.

Question 12

Identify Functionalism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 12

• Ageing process is a transition from one stage in life to another and so any inequality is fair to keep consensus in society
• Eisenstadt (1956) stated that children have less status than adults and that they should be socialised into their adult roles over time to maintain harmony
• Consensus in society is maintained by the continued socialisation of norms and values of different generations (e.g. older generations teaching younger generations)
• Cummings and Henry (1961) argued that there is a process of ‘disengagement’ by the elderly to allow roles to pass smoothly to younger generations when they no longer become capable of fulfilling them
• Some sociologists argue that the elderly will be treated with respect meaning there is no inequality

Question 13

Give evidence to support Eisenstadt’s (1956) argument that children have reduced status.

Answer 13

18-21 year olds earn an average of £1,300 per month compared to £2,500 for 40-49 year olds.
- Instant Offices (2016)

Question 14

Identify 3 criticisms of Functionalism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 14

1) Don’t address inequality due to being too optimistic about the harmonious transition (e.g. children taking on more responsibilities sooner due to lone parent household)
2) Hard for young people to find work after uni to support self
3) Reality of different age groups performing different jobs is not true as there are many age groups in a singular sector (e.g. retail)

Question 15

Identify the New Right’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 15

• Saunders (1990s) stated that a meritocratic society is unequal but fair
• Any inequality faced is a result of their lack of hard work due to not saving for their future (e.g. pensions)
• Critical about lack of homes due to elderly staying in large 4 bedroom houses
• Critical about dependency on the state for pensions and social care

Question 16

Identify a criticism of the New Right’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 16

Inequality is not a good thing.

Question 17

Identify Marxism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 17

• Age inequality is a social construction of the capitalist class through exploitation
• Young people are seen as the reserve army of labour by getting work when there is an ‘economic boom’ and being rejected in hard times, making it unequal
• Phillipson (1982) argues elderly are a burden on the economy as capitalism needs to renew workforce to ensure profit by using young, more productive workers who are socialised to be submissive
• The elderly therefore experience inequality as are often neglected in society being seen as a burden due to the cost of the ageing population draining resources
• Working class older people are more likely to experience poverty and ill health

Question 18

Identify 2 criticisms of Marxism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 18

1) Ageing population means elderly work longer due to increasing retirement age to build sufficient pension and so are an economic asset
2) In many jobs the elderly are able to work into their old age (e.g. judges and politicians)

Question 19

Identify Weberianism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 19

• Barron and Norris’s (1976) dual labour market theory shows that young and old people often find themselves in the secondary sector with low-paid jobs
• This causes them inequality as they face limited opportunities in gaining higher status in society
• This judgement is based on their abilities and skills as the elderly may lack technological skills and young may not have enough

Question 20

Identify Feminism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 20

• Dual Systems theory of capitalism and patriarchy (Marxist and Radical) with women and work
• The majority of people who are eligible for occupational pensions are female due to being more likely to have their jobs interrupted by maternity leave
• Oppenheim and Harker (1996) found that 73% of male employees receive company pensions compared to 68% of females
• Mordaunt (2003) argued that as a result of lack of company pensions there are twice as many elderly women relying on state benefits with 1/4 living in poverty in the UK
• Appearance decrease in women is viewed as negative in the media and so reduces their status

Question 21

Identify 2 criticisms of Feminism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 21

1) Factors such as ethnicity and class can determine reliance on benefits in later life not just being female
2) Using cosmetics to look young is not a forced process

Question 22

Identify Postmodernism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 22

• Lack of inequality as true emphasis on choice in a modern society reduces discrimination purely based on the social construct of age and instead focuses on decisions surrounding their lifestyle
• Kidd (2001) argues that there is a fragmented society with some elderly people enjoying retirement with others face poverty and ill health
• Blaikie (1999) argues that there is ‘positive ageing’ with consumerism focusing on leisure-based pursuits in later life leading to less inequality due to choice
• Young experience inequality due to media representation of youth culture with Cohen’s (1972) ‘folk devils’

Question 23

Identify 2 criticisms of Postmodernism’s explanation for age inequality.

Answer 23

1) Overemphasis on how much choice people have
2) Different institutions interact with age differently (e.g. education and the workplace) due to not having unified structures

Question 24

Describe how Labelling Theory can explain age inequality.

Answer 24

• Representation of the elderly in the media is negative with labels like ‘cranky’
• Ray (2006) argues that elderly people are often talked down to due to being depicted as dependent and in need of being looked after which causes a self-fulfilling prophecy as people treating them as though they need to rely on them causes a loss of independence
• Featherstone and Wernick (1995) argue the media portrays wrinkles as bad and in need of improvement otherwise status in society will be lost
• Young people face inequality from labels due to media influencing moral panic about youths and ‘folk devils’ anti-authority attitudes
• Wayne (2007) found that 82% of 286 news items focused on young people being violent criminals

Question 25

Describe intersectionality as a conclusion to age inequality.

Answer 25

It is not just being old or young that dictates how much inequality a person experiences as many other factors (such as ethnicity and gender) can affect this, showing that the relationship is more complex.