Lecture 6: Ageing

Question 1

• Define ‘Chronological Age’

Answer 1

Chronological age is a measure of age related to the number of years a person has lived since time he/she was born.

Question 2

Define ‘Biological Age’

Answer 2

• Describes the person’s development based on biomarkers

- Looks at people as they are and not necessarily when they were born

Question 3

Define ‘Psychological Age’

Answer 3

It is a subjective description of one’s experience using non-physical features such as past events, experience, logic and emotions.

Question 4

• Define ‘Functional Age’

Answer 4

Functional age is defined as a combination of:

1. chronological
2. biological
3. psychological ages

It describes holistically how well an individual functions at the level of a whole person in daily life.

Question 5

• Define ‘Social Age’

Answer 5

• Social Age looks at the social context of ageing and the construction of the life stage through social attitudes and policies.
• Reflected by his/her position along the ‘social clock’ of life
• Social clock is a timetable determined by a culture which specifies a proper time for certain events, like marriage, graduation, employment or social status.

For example:
If Jane is still single at the age of 36 while most of her peers are already married, then her social age less than 35.

Question 6

Explain Conflict Perspective on Ageing

Answer 6

The theory highlights how different age categories, the Young versus the Old workers, compete for scare social resources and this contributes to age stratification.

For example:
In developed countries, employers shunt elderly workers aside in favour of younger people as a means of keeping wages down. As a result, older people become second-class citizens.

Question 7

Describe Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on Ageing (Activity Theory)

Answer 7

According to activity theory:

• ageing process is delayed when older people remain socially active
• What older people need are productive & recreational activities that inspire their retirement with meaning and joy.

CASE STUDY
How do you help him to promote successful ageing?
- Recommend job
- Spend time meaningfully - volunteering

Question 8

Define ‘Ageism’

Answer 8

• Ageism is discrimination against older adults or elderly based on their age
• treating older people unequally (directly or indirectly) because of their age

Question 9

Explain how Ageism may come about

Answer 9

• Developed countries value youth and youthfulness.
• Society views old age as a period of inevitable physical decline and increasing dependency.
• Ageism stereotypes:
   The aged is portrayed as helpless, confused, resistant to change and unhappy.
   Perceive older adults as a threat in slowing down the economy or taking away jobs from the younger generations.
• ageing population in a society is often perceived as a social problem.

Question 10

Discuss 2 Stereotypes - Young versus Old Workers

Answer 10

2 stereotypes of the young having on older staff

* Back dated
* Rigid, inflexible
* Unable to learn new stuff
* Slow in learning

2 stereotypes older staff stereotype the younger staff

* Disrespectful - not wanting to learn from older staff
* Boastful and overconfident