theories of age inequality Flashcards
functionalist sociologists ?
- parsons
- eisentadt
parsons ?
the differences in social roles associated with age groups are vital for smooth functioning of society
- childhood: period of socialisation within family, crucial for norms and values
- youth: transition from childhood to adulthood bridge between 2 worlds
- old age: social and economic roles such as child bearing, are no longer performed so lose status and importance in society
eisenstadt ?
argued that different age groups enable individuals to learn and acquire new social roles and therefore contribute to social cohesion
evaluation of functionalism ?
hockey and James = too deterministic, the idea youths rebel because society needs them to is challenged
- parsons ignores the conflict and exploitation between age groups and the fluidity of age groups
- stereotypes age groups
new rights views on age inequality - over generous benefits and dependancy ?
youth = unsocialised/ lack of responsibility, issues with teen parents, unemployment and youth crime
older people = drain on the state, people should take responsibility for their own old age
evaluation of new right?
- ignores negative consequences of disengagement on individuals
marxism sociologists and examples?
- statham
- philipson
- the CCCS
- brake
Marxism focuses on ?
focuses on the needs of capitalism when trying to explain inequality.
what is youth in terms of marxism ?
both an asset and an issue in the needs of capitalism. they’re an asset due to the energy and new skills they can provide, such as technology skills, they’re a cheap source of labour due to lower minimum wages which is beneficial to the capitalist system
- link to surplus value
elderly in terms of marxism ?
statham = elderly providing free childcare is good for capitalism as it means the young will be able to work however the old don’t contribute economically so there less significant to capitalists than working age adults.
philipson ?
ideological control means old and young accept their position, made to seem normal and young get exploited and old get discarded
the CCCS?
if youths are resisting/rebelling then those in power will want to keep them marginalised until they can be brainwashed
brake?
youth rebellion is an illusion because young peoples actions do not actually challenge the capitalist system in a meaningful way instead it is just a temporary phase that the system ultimately absorbs and neutralises.
weberian sociologists?
- turner
- townsend
turner ?
suggests that in modern capitals societies, status is linked to economic productivity, the elderly lose power because they’re no longer economically productive. young and middle aged people contribute more to the economy they hold more status and influence
townsend ?
argues the government forces old people into dependancy by controlling access to pensions and welfare. many retired people live in poverty because state pensions are often inadequate leaving them financially dependent.
evaluation of Weberian views ?
postmodernists would argue are is even more fluid than weberians would suggest this has caused a source of inequality
- functionalists would suggest that age inequalities are important to keep society functioning effectively
feminist sociologists?
- Oakley
- wolf
Oakley ?
focuses on childhood and argues that theres similarities with the way that women and children are treated in society. both are seen as minorities, neither are given full rights, both are seen as incapable of knowing what’s good for them.
wolf ?
females are judged by their looks, elderly women are judged more harshly than elderly men in terms of physical appearance
evaluation of feminist views ?
Oakley is criticised for playing down the power women have over children, and misses the true cause of the inequality
- men are also going through the pressure to cosmeticse
postmodernist sociologist?
- pilcher
- featherstone and Hepworth
pilcher ?
argues modern society, the construction of the different stages of the life course were based around work and the needs of the economy. she argues that in a postmodern world these things are changing and breaking down
featherstone and Hepworth?
argues media images of aging which have been the source of negative stereotypes can also create new identities as the population ages, more positive images may emerge. such as retro fashions
