Chapter 6- Social Structures & Inequality Flashcards
Define age structures (2)
- Socially structured relations among individuals that affect the lives of people as they age
- Class and age intersect, advantages in earlier life increase access to opportunities when older
How are gender and age related? (3)
- Gendered social process occur throughout life course
- Gender inequalities are most visible among older women
- Females play different social roles, receive different wards, and experience different realities (lower income, caregiving, more poverty)
Describe the the three concepts of age structure. (3)
- Cohort: everyone born in a specific period
- Generation: unique grouping of adjacent birth cohorts who experienced socio-historical events and behave in a similar way
- Generational unit: unique subgroups in a generation
Explain the three interrelated social process influenced by age structure. (3)
- Cohort analysis: quantitative or qualitative mehtods to study characteristics or meanings associated with a birth cohort to study social change and stability
- Generational analysis: comparison of specific cohorts that comprise on basis of socio-historical experiences to understand how social order is maintained or changed
- Lineage effects: similarities or differences among generations in an extended family
Define age grading (2)
- Process by which age influences elements of social life
- Provides definition of expected rights, behaviour, and responsibilities at a particular age
Has age structures become more segregated or integrated? (2)
- More integrated as norms and structures become less important
- Social meanings based on age vary from one culture and period to another
Describe structural lag (4)
- Many policies and programs lag behind changing definition and needs of older adults
- Lack of retirement
- Few employment options
- Little social support for those who care for or help their aging parents
Describe cohort and generational effects (2)
- Can introduce social change
- When older people perceive ageism and discrimination, they seek to change status quo
Explain generation gaps (2)
- Inter-generational strain could lead to generation gaps, inequities, or change
- Exists at family level (lineage gaps), and societal level (societal gaps)
Describe intergenerational transfers (4)
- Transfers of money, property, formal services, in-kind donations
- Can occur through old to youngest, compulsory or voluntarily, those who demonstrate need, and money
- Creates a bond between generations
- Can be understood through direction, sector, content, and nature of transfer
Explain public transfers (4)
- Made from the state to individuals or families
- Includes education, pension, subsidies
- Funds come from tax payers who are soon provided services
- Causes debate over inequities and burden
Describe private transfers (2)
- Occurs in family
- Potential to maintain economic advantage from one generation to the next, or facilitate higher standards of living
Describe generational equity (3)
- Continues to be debated in Canada
- Intergenerational social contract that assumes that generations with common expectations cooperate to ensure solidarity, support, and generational succession
- Concerned with financial burden, shifting responsibility, unemployment, and wealth distribution for younger generations