Topic 2- Family [Lesson 10] Flashcards
Deaths and the Ageing Population
How do you measure the Death Rate?
The number of deaths per thousand of a population
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What does Tranter say is the main reason for the decline in death rate?
The fall in infectious diseases (1850-1970) and the increase of ‘diseases of affluence’ (1950 onwards).
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What social factors have had an impact on the decline of the death rate?
-Improved Nutrition
-Medical Improvements
-Smoking and Diet
-Public Health measures
-Life Expectancy
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What does Hirsch say about the traditional ‘age pyramid’?
It is disappearing.
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What are the three factors that cause an ageing population?
-Increased life expectancy
-Declining infant mortality
-Declining fertility
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What are some effects of an ageing population?
-The increase in public service demands
-Feminization of later life
-The dependency ratio (‘burden of dependency’)
Deaths and the Ageing Population
Why does the ageing population create ageism?
-In society, the discourse of ageing has been constructed to be viewed as a problem
-There is discrimination against old people in work places
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What is ‘structured dependency’ and how has is fueled ageism?
-Old people are forced to retire, meaning they have no choice but to be economically relient on young workers
-Phillipson= old people have no use to capitalism as they are no longer productive, so they are unwilling to properly take care of them, leaving it to their families
Deaths and the Ageing Population
What view do Postmodernists take of ageing?
-They argue orderly life stages have been blurred, as individuals have a larger choice of lifestyle, regardless of age
-Hunt= we can choose our lifestyle and identity, regardless of our age
-Old people have their own market, for anti-ageing products for example
Deaths and the Ageing Population
Why does Pilcher that there is inequality amongst old people?
-Class remains important as middle class old people gain a higher pension as they had better paying jobs and were also able to gain savings
Deaths and the Ageing Population
How does an ageing population effect social policies?
-There may be less housing for younger families as it is being occupied by elderly people, causing there to be a need for housing policies
-Hirshch= we need to social policies to tackle how to finance a longer period of old age
