postmodernism - age

Question 1

Postmodern explanations - Pilcher

Answer 1

Jane Pilcher notes that the modern form of the life course is breaking down. The boundaries between different stages may be increasingly blurred. As people become more concerned about self-identity they may present themselves or act in ways which contradict the norms associated with different life course stages. For example, children may dress more like adults and old or middle aged people may dress in youthful styles. Pilcher says ‘Some theorists have argued that the life course is becoming destandardized, that age-based transitions and standards of behaviour, which previously were strictly defined are becoming less fixed’.

Question 2

Postmodern explanations - Featherstone and Hepworth

Answer 2

Featherstone and Hepworth argue that In recent times the life course of the classes, middle classes in particular have begun to be deconstructed. For example:

1. Children and adults are becoming more alike so that gestures, postures, leisure pursuits, ways of dressing and so on are becoming more similar to one another.
2. Middle class adults reaching retirement with good pensions can afford to continue enjoying consumer-culture lifestyles having a high disposable income to spend on leisure goods and services.
3. Ageing has increasingly come to be seen in positive terms rather than as part of an inevitable decline towards infirmity and dependence. Even after retirement from paid work many middle class people continue to make a valuable contribution to the community

Question 3

Postmodern explanations - Blaikie

Answer 3

Andrew Blaikie concentrates on the image of retirement arguing that attitudes to retirement have changed dramatically and stereotypes of old age have broken down. He attributes this partly to the development of consumer culture. With an ageing population those over retirement age make up an increasingly numerous group. They have become an important market for companies wishing to sell goods and services, and therefore their status has risen.

Question 4

Postmodern explanations - eval

Answer 4

Postmodern theories may be criticised for underplaying the fact that class, gender and ethnic divisions continue to shape the experience of old age. White men from higher social classes tend to enjoy more prosperous and fulfilling retirement than other groups. Postmodern views on age and the life course run the risk of exaggerating the degree to which society has been freed from the influence of age on social life.