Social Context of Aging: Ageism Flashcards
Only a small segment of elderly people are…
-old, rich and spoiled
Employment in Old Age?
- structured social relations impact the choices that you have
- choices then impact your health
- some may find meaning in employment
- depends on whether they are choosing to stay in the workforce
Homelessness in Old Age
- effects social class
- no suitable residence
- effects on physical and mental health
Old age and social isolation
- loneliness
- don’t have meaningful family relationships
A youthful spirit trapped in an aging body
- don’t feel old (age is just a #)
- still very active
Successful aging leads to…
- healthy lifestyle factors are enjoyed
- perception of old age is different (don’t feel old)
Anti-aging medicine and technology leads to…
- discrimination
- personal denial of old age
- historical context
- stereotypes in society
Societal views of people who choose anti-aging medicine
- active
- productive
- less burden
- macro factors affect how individuals behave
- class divide as only the rich can afford it
Why is anti-aging medicine and technology still a thing?
- denying that they’re getting old
- beauty standards
- living longer
Anti-aging Medicine: Botox
- more emphasis on how women look (shifting to mens bodies)
- gender discrimination
Successful Aging Programs
- healthy lifestyle behaviours cost money
- optimizing life in the second half by taking control of your body
Successful Aging leads to…
- discrimination of older people
- don’t meet stereotypes of being old, weak & burden
- denying being old
- being active and maintaining a healthy body
- not achieved by all (class divide)
Old Age is related to…
- structured social relations and health implications
- anti-aging meds may harm your body
- causes (-) health outcomes
- some naturally age and come out more healthy
- some people fight back against dominant culture/ideology
Various Industries involved in anti-aging
- pharmaceutical companies, therapists, life coaches, physical fitness clubs, dietitians
Consumerism
- products & services designed to help the ‘seniors’ age gracefully
- booming economy, profitable, want to meet the demand of people not accepting aging
Social implications of anti-aging
- old is not desirable
- more $$ can allow you to remain young
- access to resources allowing you to age successfully
Medicalization of the aging body
- medical problem that needs be fixed
- site of medical examination
- treat aging with medication
- hidden ideology in marketing
Age as a noun
set of structured social relations (category)
Age as a verb
- process linked to physiological, biological, social, psychological and cultural
- 360 degree holistic view of aging
Culture and old age
Culture constructs what it means to be old
- e.g. asian cultures sees older people as worthy of respect
- other cultures see aging as undesirable
Macro view of culture and it’s view of old age
- societal burden (cost)
Meso view of culture and it’s view of old age
- family responsibility
- worker replacement
Micro view of culture and it’s view of old age
- self-esteem
- life satisfaction
- health
- personal denial
Aging bodies are seen as…
- biological
- social
- cultural
Stereotypes are…
- A thought that can be adopted about specific types of individuals or certain ways of doing things. These thoughts or beliefs may or may not accurately reflect reality
- Positive & negative
Beliefs are…
something believed to be true -> Stereotypes
Attitudes are…
tendency to evaluate an object with some degree of favour or disfavour
- predictive of general trends in behaviour
Ageism
- The holding of irrational and prejudicial views about individuals or groups, based on their age
- Involving stereotypical assumptions about a person’s or group’s physical or mental capacities and is often associated with derogatory language
Aging in multiple dimensions
- Biological (physical decline = problem?)
- Psychological (denial of aging)
- Social (discrimination)
- Bio-social-psychological (a combined perspective
Ageism is a pervasive social attitude in…
- Education (young vs. old)
- Health Care (e.g., treating older people as less rewarding)
- Employment (e.g., older workers, less productive)
- Sexuality (e.g., no interests in sexual intimacy)
Institutionalized ageism (systemic)
“A tendency to structure society based on an assumption that everyone is young, thereby failing to respond appropriately to the real needs of older persons”
Internalized ageism (social learning)
- becomes part of our belief systems
- learned from mass media
Hidden Ageism in consumerism
- Ageism as socially constructed
- Drug makers, therapists, personal trainer, dieticians
Does ageism promote healthy aging?
- not always good
- solution to non-existent problem
- “being old is good”
Does ageism reinforce old age stereotypes?
- old age isn’ t good
- being old has problems (hidden in marketing)
Ageism in Language
- challenges words used in everyday language
- Language creates a discourse that distinguishes ’in-group’ from ‘out-group’
- Language can be used to perpetuate negative judgement, stereotypes and prejudice and assumption
- Language-based discrimination with regards to ageism can be normalized and potentially internalized
Internalized Ageism
- generalization by old people towards themselves
- how people form behaviours and ideology
- social aspect is very important
We need to avoid…
- subconscious use of stereotype words
- may be unaware, subtle or normalized
