age inequality

Question 1

Talcott Parsons (1967)

Answer 1

certain age groups norms and values could threaten the organic analogy and flow of society
e.g. young people being rebellious

Question 2

Einsenstadt (1956)

Answer 2

youth is when individuals learn their adult roles and responsibility which is essential for the flow of society

Question 3

functionalists on youth

Answer 3

• young people behave in a way not suited for society
• deviant activities teach them how to behave properly through agents of social control
• they become more integrated into society by learning these rules

Question 4

disengagement theory

Answer 4

Cummings and Henry (1961)

• new roles should be created for the elderly who can no longer work
• this stops a gap in society and allows other people to fulfil their roles

Question 5

Gramsci (1971)

Answer 5

• false consciousness means people don’t realise their exploitation
• rewards like free child care and pensions creates a form of dependency so people need the authority

Question 6

reserve army of labour

Answer 6

• young people are used as they provide cheap labour due to minimum wage
• the elderly can be called out of retirement to work

Question 7

Itzin (1990)

Answer 7

women face a double standard as their status decreases after a child bearing age, whereas mens status is linked to employment and not age

Question 8

functionalism on stratification

Answer 8

• it’s a functional feature of all societies
• it’s based on meritocracy and achieved status
• social inequality is good as it matches the right people to the right jobs
• people must accept their positions as fair and just

Question 9

marxists on stratfication

Answer 9

• the capitalist class the most control
• the wealth of this class buys them power and influence
• there’s class polarisation between the poor and rich

Question 10

disadvantage of functionalism

Answer 10

• ignores dysfunctions of stratification
• assumes society is a homogenous entity
• whats beneficial for society may not benefit age groups

Question 11

advantages of functionalism

Answer 11

• sees society as a whole
• takes a structural view
• offers explanation of why age division occurs

Question 12

Oakley

Answer 12

• there are similarities between women’s and children’s positions in society
• but women have earnt more rights than children have like voting or paid work

Question 13

Gannon

Answer 13

• women in retirement lack pensions due to childcare responsibilities
• middle aged women have to deal with the triple shift
• women’s status is based on their reproductive cycle

Question 14

advantages of feminism

Answer 14

• addresses the question of gender and age
• introduces patriarchy as a causal explanation
• uses concepts from other theories

Question 15

disadvantages of feminism

Answer 15

• reductionist as assumes patriarchy is the cause of all inequality
• doesn’t take into account the success of some female age groups (women in education)
• downplays the growth of inequality

Question 16

weber on age

Answer 16

• affected by class, status and power
• youth and elderly lose out on all 3
• life chances are lower for youth and elderly

Question 17

advantages of weberianism

Answer 17

• more sophisticated analysis
• introduces new concepts
• combines structural and action views
• recognises conflict

Question 18

disadvantage of weberianism

Answer 18

• complexity makes it hard to find main causes
• marxists would say class is underplayed
• feminists say gender isn’t considered enough

Question 19

class

Answer 19

people who share the same economic interests

Question 20

status

Answer 20

the amount of social honour and respect you have in society

Question 21

power

Answer 21

the ability to get what you want and control events

Question 22

dual labour market

Answer 22

Barron and Norris

• the economy is divided into 2 sectors
• primary labour market with good paid jobs and opportunities
• secondary labour market with low paid part time jobs

Question 23

new right on age

Answer 23

• longevity of life increases the dependency ratio
• old people are reliant on the state which creates issues for everyone
• longer time in childhood creates new problems and costs

Question 24

advantages of new right

Answer 24

• structural theory
• focuses on a new causal explanation (the state)
• developed new concepts (dependency culture)

Question 25

disadvantages of new right

Answer 25

• blames the victims
• lack of empirical support
• it’s more political than sociological