Lesson 11 Flashcards
Differences between men and women as they age
Women more likely to be widowed, single, or living alone
Heterosexual women more likely to outlive spouses
Double standard of aging
As men age, society views them as more valuable, more distinguished, and often more attractive
As women age, they are viewed as less valuable and less attractive
Empty nest syndrome
Describes the emotional responses parents experience after their adult children leave the familial home
Especially difficulty for women who spend more time caring for the children typically
Not all women experience. some embrace new freedom
Menopause
When menstruation stops for a minimum of one year
Women can experience anywhere from late 30s to 60s
On avg happens around age 50
Marks the end of a woman’s ability to become pregnant
Seen as a medical problem and unpleasant in western culture
Some cultures see it as a transition to higher social status or increased magical power and report less symptoms
Perimenopause
Period of several years before menopause that most women experience
Menstrual periods become irregular and less frequent
Sandwich generation
People in their 40s and 50s
Stuck in the middle caring for both young and old
Skip-generation parents
Grandparents raise and care for grandkids and act as primary caregivers
Age-denial
Many mature women lie about their age
A large discrepancy between self identity and social identity predicts age-denial
Self identity
How old one feels inside
Social identity
How old one looks to others
Chapter 12 terms
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