Chapter 6: Social Structures, Inequality, and Life Course Flashcards
How is “old age” socially constructed?
Societies define what “old” means based on cultural values and norms rather than biological factors alone.
How do social stratification and social inequality relate to aging?
Aging experiences differ based on class, race, and gender, which affect access to resources and opportunities.
How does social class impact aging?
Higher social class leads to better healthcare access, financial security, and longer life expectancy.
Why are older women more likely to experience economic insecurity?
Lower lifetime earnings, career interruptions, and longer life expectancy increase financial vulnerability.
What unique challenges do LGBTQ+ individuals face as they age?
Discrimination, lack of inclusive retirement communities, and social isolation.
What is structural lag, and how does it affect aging individuals?
Structural lag occurs when social institutions fail to adapt to changes in aging populations.
What are intergenerational transfers? Provide examples.
Transfers of resources across generations. Examples: financial help from parents, public pensions.
What are the key public pension programs in Canada?
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Old Age Security (OAS)
Why is child poverty linked to intergenerational inequality?
Lack of support for young families leads to financial struggles that persist into old age.
age structures
socially structured relations among individuals that affect the lives of people as they age
4 social structures of aging
social stratification (categorizing people in groups based on stuff)
social inequality (social position)
social structures intersect (class and age)
affects life chances
filial piety
values and behaviours that show respect for elders
3 caveats (warnings) about social structures
- don’t ignore agency
- no single theory can guide our thinking due to complexity of social systems
- people experience social structures differently
age grading
process of chronological age influencing elements of life like social positions and roles
structural lag
individual or cohort needs change faster than opportunities
cohort flow/ replacement
cohorts succeed one another overtime
public and private intergenerational transfers
public: between state and person/ family
- funded by tax payers
- harder with low employment and public debt
private: within family
- helps with life events
- in past eldest son got land
how is the measure cost of essential goods calculated and how is it unfair?
is done for a family of 4, doesn’t think of smaller families or health costs. only essential goods and services
types of theories to guide thinking of social understanding
age stratification: focuses on inequality but less on interaction of age with other systems of inequality
political economy and feminist theory: focus on power relations but not how age influences power
exchange theory: intergenerational transfers of wealth but not transfers at societal level
positions in society
higher rank is associated with power, privilege and prestige
social positions are assigned on the basis of…
ascribed attributes: race, gender, ethnicity
achieved attributes: class, age, education
SES means what
socio-economic status
the number of strata in social class and age range from…
2: aristocrats and peasants
3: professionals, white collar, blue collar
Many: upper class, upper middle, middle, etc.
cumulative inequality theory (who and what is it)
Ferraro; unequal status and accumulation of risk in early life contributes to unequal later life
