Functionalist View on Age Inequality

Question 1

What did Parsons argue

Answer 1

That in pre-industrial society age didn’t matter because family determined one’s place in society. However since industrialisation people have been more socially and geographically mobile so age groups have become more important.

Question 2

What did Parsons argue about age groups

Answer 2

That age groups provide roles sets that create a link between the kinship group and the wider society

Question 3

What does Pilcher suggest

Answer 3

Youth is a stage of transition that connects childhood to adulthood

Question 4

Age is important as a ________ of _______ ___________

Answer 4

Mechanism of social integration - it allows people to move from one social institute to another without too much social disturbance or conflict

Question 5

What do Cummings and Henry suggest

Answer 5

That the way society treats the old has positive benefits for society. The ageing process and the social relation to it is part of a mutual process in which the elderly are encourage to socially disengage with their occupational roles.

Question 6

What does ‘social disengagement’ function to do

Answer 6

To allow younger members of society to take the place of the old in the specialised division of labour with minimum disruption to both social order and economic efficiency

Question 7

What is a criticism of the disengagement theory

Answer 7

That retirement from work and society is often not voluntary. This disengagement has negative consequences for the self-esteem and social status of the elderly.

Question 8

What approach are functionalists

Answer 8

Consensus