Age: postmodernism

Question 1

What is the overall view of post-modernism about age inequalities ?

Answer 1

• don’t just come to one conclusion when explaining age inequalities
• Look at reasons why youth and elderly face inequalities

Question 2

What do post-modernists say about how age is a positive time of life ?

Answer 2

• consumer culture shows that the stereotypes that older people are invisible are changing
• For example: Advertising acronyms such as SKIER (spending the kids’ inheritance)

Question 3

What did Laczki and Phillipson say about the positives of old age ?

Answer 3

• inequality faced by elderly was impacted by wealth
• People who are wealthier can retire earlier and have a positive experience of old age

Question 4

What is the mask of old age ?

Answer 4

• Priestly
• Said that growing older was like someone had kidnapped him and made him look older
• But behind his face he still shared the same thoughts as his younger self
• Shows that inequalities the elderly face are to do with labelling

Question 5

How is new technology fighting against ageism ?

Answer 5

• Not all want to grow old
• Some fight old age with cosmetic surgery

Question 6

What did Powell and Biggs say about the fight against ageism ?

Answer 6

• cosmetic surgery allows older people to continually re-create themselves
• Means that those who can afford to re-create themselves suffer less ageism due to other factors

Question 7

How does globalisation affect age inequalities ?

Answer 7

• As Britain becomes more multi-cultural ageism changes
• In other cultures, age inequalities are different
• For example in Gerontocracy, older people don’t experience ageism as they are the most respected in society
• This means that chronological age doesn’t cause ageism but norms and values of a society do