Module 2 Flashcards
What is intersectionality?
Describes interactions of systems of inequality, power based systems, and life chances. Differences in experiences of marginalized populations. Disadvantage changes as one moves into later age
What is the basis of the modernization hypothesis?
Shift from agricultural systems to industrialized economies, and how this changed the status of elders.
What 2 kinds of societies existed during the pre industrial revolution?
Hunting and Gathering, and Egrarian.
What was the status of elders in hunting and gathering societies?
Elders were a valuable source of knowledge and held power and influence.
What was the status of elders in Egrarian societies?
Oldest citizens controlled the land, were family heads, and had the most knowledge about survival, animal care, crops, rituals, and laws.
What happened to the status of elders during the industrial revolution?
Shift from rural to urban living, knowledge of elders was no longer needed as we began to get knowledge from technology. The young become knowledgeable, old aren’t needed.
What are the 6 reasons why the modernization hypothesis is criticized, and why there is more to the theory?
1) There is considerable heterogeneity in status decline after modernisation- not all places modernised
2) In some pre-industrial societies, status of older people was already lower
3) Continued high status of older people in societies to some degree
4) Alternative reasons for status change in family structure
5) Regional diversity in a felt need to honour and care for one’s parents
6) Other intersecting factors.
What influences the diversity in aging?
Social, biological, gender, ethnicity, employment history, etc. Different experiences based on demographics. Social aspects of ageing are not universal.
Are aspects of biological aging considered universal or not?
Universal, Every person experiences similar changes to skin, muscle structures and bone density over time.
What is culture?
A set of shared social meanings, values, beliefs, norms, customs
What are values?
Internalized criteria by which members select and judge goals or behaviours.
What are beliefs?
A conception of the world and what is thought to be true.
What are norms?
Expected behaviours in specific social situations
What are customs?
Typical ways of doingg things.
What do gerontologists use to understand the social aspects of aging?
Historical comparison