Sociological perspectives on age inequality

Question 1

Age inequalities are vital for the smooth running of society

Functionalism

Answer 1

• Henry and Cummings- ‘disengagement theory’. Abilities deteriorate with age- mutual need (society and individual) for older people to disenage from the workforce, and for the younger gen to take over and refresh society. Older gen leave workforce and acquire new, positive roles: free childcare for family
• Ageas 2020 survey- over 2/3 (65%) of grandparents care for grandchildren for 11.3 hours on average weekly- save parents approx £16 billion yearly

Question 2

Rebellious behaviour during youth is functional for society

Functionalism

Answer 2

• Eisenstadt- ‘safety valve’ allows youths to get high spirits, and frustrations out of the system, and “let off steam” in an acceptable way
• Period of rebellion is tolerated and accepted as a normal part of growing up and a way of testing the boundaries, experimenting and reinforcing acceptable norms and values- contribution to social order

Question 3

It is understandable that young people are not given the same rights and responsibilities as adults

Functionalism

Answer 3

• Parsons- youth= transitional period between childhood and adulthood= ‘bridge’
• Makes sense that they are paid less as they are less experienced and are learning how to be professional (training period)
• Age related pay differences are fair and reasonable

Question 4

Some youths are more likely to engage in deviant behaviours as they have different norms and values from the rest of society

Functionalism

Answer 4

• Miller- w/c youths have different values- w/c subcultures= ‘focal concerns’, including: heightened sense of masculinity, toughness, use of violence, excitement, anti-authority, streetwise

Question 5

Youths have a different set of norms and values from the rest of society

New Right

Answer 5

• Murray- deviant youths have not received appropriate socialisation into society’s value consensus
• Different, deviant set of norms and values, based on dependency, criminality, laziness
• Underclass do not want to work, see dependency on welfare as a positive choice. Condemnation of single mothers raising boys with no father figure= explains high crime rate amongst w/c boys

Question 6

Younger and older adults face barriers to developing their skill levels (class)

Weberian

Answer 6

• Barron and Norris- both old and young adults are placed in the secondary labour market- fewer opportunities for skill and career development

Question 7

Younger adults may face barriers to gaining power, through membership of certain groups (party)

Weberian

Answer 7

• Youth are less likely to be members of trade unions and campaign together to improve their working conditions and pay
• Youth are under-represented in powerful organisations such as the House of Commons (3% of MPs under 30), meaning there is less input from a younger person’s POV when drafting new laws

Question 8

Young people are less likely to have status in society

Weberian

Answer 8

• Turner- status of older people linked to society’s values. Both old and young people may lack status in Western societies (value material wealth), as both may lack wealth
• Societies valuing knowledge and experience provides status and power to older people
• E.g: Samburu society in Kenya- elders are rulers= powerful and highly respected

Question 9

Age inequalities benefit the smooth running of the capitalist system and allow the bourgeoisie to make maximum profit

Marxism

Answer 9

• Phillipson- older workers= more likely to be made redundant as they are harder to exploit. Less likely to have mortages to pay off/children to support, so may be less prepared to do extra unpaid work to ensure they keep their jobs. Cost more to employ- decreases their value for employers
• Youth= cheap source of labour, due to national minimum wage and high unemployment rate of 11%- useful army reserve of labour

Question 10

The young and the old do not realise they are being exploited because of a false consciousness

Marxism

Answer 10

• Althusser- ideological state apparatuses (media) socialise use into accepting that societal inequalities are fair and natural. We are duped into believing that a lower minium age for youth is fair and necessary- actually reflects exploitation
• Gramsci- bourgeoisie used cultural and political means to convince the working class that the government was on their side. E.g: state pension convinces the elderly that the government is an essential source of support, when really it is hiding their exploitation

Question 11

Working class youths may be more likely to engage in deviant behaviour as a form of resistance against capitalism

Marxism

Answer 11

• Hebdige- smart style of the mods and their aggression towards their rivals (rockers) was an expression of their desire for middle class status and a resistance against capitalism that provided no opportunities for social mobility

Question 12

Older women face inequalities that older men do not, due to the patriarchy, meaning ageing has a more negative impact on women than men

Feminism

Answer 12

• Itzin- men’s status linked to employment, women’s status linked to reproduction. Patriarchial societies devalue women once menopause sets in. Women judged more on appearance and attractiveness (attractiveness= synonymous with youth)- pressure to fight signs of ageing due to marginalisation of older women
• E.g: Maggie Gyllenhaal- 37 year old actress told she was too old to play the love interest of a 55 year old male actor