Age And Identity

Question 1

How does biology impact age identities?

Answer 1

• Different age groups have different behaviours and societal expectations
• e.g. elderly expected to be less likely to do manual tasks

Question 2

How does the social construction of age impact identity?

Answer 2

• Norms and values of different age groups created by society
• Ages treated differently in different societies, e.g. elderly placed on pedestal in tribal communities
• No youth identity in medieval times

Question 3

How do age groups impact identity?

Answer 3

• Different age groups have different norms and values
• Forms social and individual identity

Question 4

How does old age impact identity?

Answer 4

• What classes as old age changes as life expectancy increases
• Older people may not identify as such
• The experience of old age differs by class, gender, and ethnicity

Question 5

What is ageism?

Answer 5

Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age

Question 6

What are the 3 elements to ageism?

Answer 6

• Ageism is often institutionalised, embedded in organisations
• Ageism is often expressed through everyday prejudices that impact how we interact with the elderly
• Ageism involves the assumption that there old are vulnerable

Question 7

How is old age often stereotyped?

Answer 7

• Loneliness
• Being unable to learn
• Having poor health
• Depending on others

Question 8

Who says that old people are often described in derogatory ways?

Answer 8

Pilcher

Question 9

What do Ginn and Arber say about the rising numbers of elderly people?

Answer 9

Led to rising fears about the costs to society

Question 10

TRUE OR FALSE:
Old age can be seen as a stigmatised identity

Answer 10

TRUE:
This stops people from fully participating in society

Question 11

Who spoke about active aging?

Answer 11

Marhánková

Question 12

What is active aging?

Answer 12

When older people choose to be active instead of being dependent, staying in work, caring for their health, volunteering etc.

Question 13

What does Marhánková say has enabled older people to develop new lifestyles?

Answer 13

Freedom from work, longer lives, better health, and more free time allows them to seize opportunities

Question 14

In 2012-23, what percentage of pensioners lived below the poverty line?

Answer 14

13%

Question 15

How does mid life impact identity?

Answer 15

• Greying hair
• Menopause
• Midlife crisis
• Children leaving home
• More money for leisure time

Question 16

When was youth first recognised as a unique age group?

Answer 16

1950s

Question 17

What did Cohen say about demonisation of youth?

Answer 17

Young people were seen as folk devils, and are seen as a social problem by older generations

Question 18

What is childhood?

Answer 18

A time when children should be protected by their parents

Question 19

What is the age of criminal responsibility?

Answer 19

10

Question 20

TRUE OR FALSE:
In the medieval times, children were protected by the law

Answer 20

FALSE:
Children were seen as ‘tiny adults’, and moved straight into working roles from infancy

Question 21

What is the third age?

Answer 21

The idea that there is a new age of retired people who can find fulfillment in life due to the increase in life expectancy and economic security

Question 22

Who spoke about the third age?

Answer 22

Laslett