Age Inequality Overview Flashcards
Phillipson (MARXISM)
‘Political economy theory’: Capitalism needs to renew its workforce to profit. Young employees replace elderly. The elderly depend on society as they are denied access to work. They are positioned as a burden to the economy.
Gramsci (NEO-MARXISM)
‘False consciousness’: people don’t realise their exploitation through pensions & child benefits. The elderly & young keep accepting 0-hour contracts.
Engels (MARXISM)
‘Reserve army of labour’: the unemployed who are prepared to work for very low wages in temporary jobs. The existence of a reserve army of labour serves the interests of the bourgeoisie and exploits members of the proletariat.
Cummings & Henry (FUNCTIONALISM)
‘Disengagement theory’: a persons abilities will deteriorate as they age & they need to be relieved of these roles.
Parsons (FUNCTIONALISM)
Inequality can be the ‘victims fault’, as the elderly & young do not have the necessary skills. Also looks at the bridge between childhood & adulthood.
Eisenstadt (FUNCTIONALISM)
Agrees with Parsons, saying differential age groups learn new roles that lead to further cohesion and solidarity in society.
J.B. Priestly (POSTMODERNISM)
‘Mask of old age’: he still felt young, as if someone had kidnapped him & made him old. Inequality links to labelling.
Arber and Gin (FEMINISM)
Age affects a woman’s status and power, as older women face inequalities that older men do not.
Men’s status is down to employment, while a woman’s seems to be linked to her reproductive cycle.
Women feel immense pressure to fight the signs of ageing.
Marxism criticisms
- Ageing does not occur at the same rate for everyone
2. ‘Grey pound’ - elderly become consumers & are an asset to the economy
Functionalist criticisms
- Too optimistic
2. Not all people deteriorate at the same rate
Postmodernist criticisms
Featherstone & Hepworth - retro fashion & music, etc.
Feminist criticisms
Men also feel pressure to fight signs of ageing & become a ‘silver fox’.
