Age: postmodernism

Question 1

Postmoderist theory:

Answer 1

• Some postmodernists look at the disparity of experience for older people
• Focus on the youths being a ‘non-homogenous’ group

Question 2

Old age as a positive time in life

Answer 2

• consumer culture shows that the stereotypes that older people face are changing
• E.g. Advertising use acronyms such as SKIER ‘spending the kids inheritance’ show that retirement stereotypes are changing

Question 3

Lackzi and Phillipson:

Answer 3

• Inequality faced by elderly was dependent on wealth.
• People who are wealthier can retire earlier so have a more positive experience of old age.

Question 4

The mask of old age:

Answer 4

• Priestly
• Said that growing older was like someone had kidnapped his face and made him look older
• But he still felt the same and shared the same thoughts
• Shows the inequalities that the elderly face are due to labelling

Question 5

New technology and the fight against ageism:

Answer 5

• Not all elderly people want to grow old and look older
• Some fight old age with cosmetic surgery
• Powell and Biggs = cosmetic surgery allows for older people to keep re-creating themselves
• Means that those who can afford plastic surgery face less inequalities

Question 6

Globalisation

Answer 6

• As Britain becomes more multi-cultural age inequalities change
• In different cultures, age inequalities are different
• E.g. Gerontocracy
• This means that chronological age doesn’t cause ageism but the norms and values of an individual society do