Age

Question 1

What is the Functionalist perspective on age inequalities?

Answer 1

The Functionalist perspective views society as needing to manage different age groups’ norms and values to maintain social stability through boundary maintenance and socialisation.

Question 2

What analogy does Parsons use to explain society’s stability?

Answer 2

Parsons uses the organic analogy, suggesting that society’s stability is threatened by differing norms and values among age groups.

Question 3

What is Eistandt’s analogy regarding youth?

Answer 3

Eistandt describes youth as a bridge from childhood to adulthood, suggesting that dysfunctional behavior can lead to better integration later if managed properly.

Question 4

What criticism does Turner (1989) provide regarding youth status?

Answer 4

Turner argues that young people can suffer low status due to being stigmatized for lacking resources necessary for high status.

Question 5

What does Parsons say about the elderly and social roles?

Answer 5

Parsons states that the elderly may struggle to maintain their roles and often take on new roles, such as grandparenting.

Question 6

What is the disengagement theory proposed by Cummings and Henry?

Answer 6

The disengagement theory suggests that as a person’s abilities deteriorate, they should be relieved of their roles to fill gaps for social stability.

Question 7

What concept do Engels and Phillipson (1982) introduce regarding older and young people?

Answer 7

Engels and Phillipson introduce the concept of the reserve army of labour, where older and young people are used by the bourgeoisie as needed.

Question 8

What does Victor (1994) say about youth and socialisation?

Answer 8

Victor argues that not all youth are properly guided by agents of socialisation, leading to dysfunctions and potential deviance through negative labelling.

Question 9

What do Townsend and Phillipson (1982) argue about the elderly?

Answer 9

They argue that the elderly are institutionally marginalized and pushed out by a younger, more efficient workforce.

Question 10

What is Havinghurst’s Activity theory?

Answer 10

Havinghurst’s Activity theory posits that staying mentally and physically active increases happiness in the elderly.

Question 11

What do Arber and Ginn (1991) find regarding inequalities faced by older women?

Answer 11

Arber and Ginn find that older women face more inequalities than older men, despite both groups being part of the reserve army of labour.

Question 12

What is Gramsci’s concept of false consciousness?

Answer 12

Older people are not aware of their exploitation often through concessions, creating a form of dependency.

Question 13

How does Marx view youth in relation to capitalism?

Answer 13

Youth can be both an asset and an issue to capitalism.

Question 14

What do Townsend and Phillipson argue about the elderly?

Answer 14

Elderly individuals are institutionally marginalised and made to retire to meet the needs of the economy.

Question 15

What does Itzin (1990) say about older women?

Answer 15

Older women face a double standard and choose cosmeticisation; patriarchy is the cause of inequality.

Question 16

What pressure do older women feel according to Arber and Ginn (1991)?

Answer 16

Older women feel pressure that older men do not.

Question 17

What expectation does Daly (1979) highlight for women?

Answer 17

Women are expected to conform to certain physical standards, such as genital mutilation for young girls.

Question 18

What does Oakley (1974) say about young girls?

Answer 18

Young girls are manipulated and canalised through socialisation towards stereotypical gender roles, disadvantaging them.

Question 19

What is Featherstone and Hepworth’s (1993) view on old age?

Answer 19

Old age can be a positive time of life, and stereotypes are changing, leading to the concept of the ‘grey pound’.

Question 20

What is Parsons’ view on youth?

Answer 20

Youth are not an issue; they are learning from childhood to adulthood and can grow into functional adults.

Question 21

How does Polemus (1972) characterize youth?

Answer 21

Youth are seen as a ‘folk devil’ primarily due to media portrayal.

Question 22

What does Parsons say about social roles and the elderly?

Answer 22

Social roles need to be fulfilled and renewed; the elderly should not be made to retire as these roles help society function.

Question 23

What is Powell’s (2001) concept of the mask of old age?

Answer 23

The experiences of the elderly on the outside differ from their internal experiences; inequality is based on labelling rather than ageing.

Question 24

What does Currie (1990) say about men and cosmeticisation?

Answer 24

Men also face cosmeticisation, not just women, as seen in FHM magazines.

Question 25

What limitation does Powell and Biggs highlight regarding cosmeticisation?

Answer 25

Only some individuals can afford to cosmeticize.

Question 26

What does Engels say about older people in the workforce?

Answer 26

Older people are used as a reserve army of labour, often on zero contract hours.

Question 27

What do postmodernists say about ageism?

Answer 27

Ageism varies globally, and concepts like gerontocracy and child-centred families differ across cultures.

Question 28

What does Victor (1994) say about young people's inequalities?

Answer 28

All young people face inequalities through the labelling process, leading to negative labelling and stigmatisation.

Question 29

What concept did Parkin (1968) introduce regarding the elderly?

Answer 29

The elderly are socially segregated through invisibility from positive portrayal ## Footnote This highlights how societal perceptions can marginalize older individuals.

Question 30

According to Turner (1989), how is age discrimination best understood?

Answer 30

In terms of status, with individuals stigmatised for lacking what it takes to gain high status ## Footnote This reflects the societal values placed on status and its impact on discrimination.

Question 31

What are the three elements Weber suggested should be considered in understanding social inequalities?

Answer 31

Class, party, and status ## Footnote Weber's framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of these elements in stratification.

Question 32

What did Barron and Norris identify about the secondary labour market?

Answer 32

It includes young and old workers ## Footnote This highlights the demographic diversity within lower-status job sectors.

Question 33

In which labour market are middle-aged individuals more likely to be found?

Answer 33

Primary labour market ## Footnote Jobs in this sector tend to have more status and security.

Question 34

What positive view did Featherstone and Hepworth present about old age?

Answer 34

Old age is seen as a positive time, referred to as the 'grey pound' ## Footnote This term reflects the economic impact of older consumers.

Question 35

What do postmodernists argue about globalisation and gerontocracy?

Answer 35

They link globalisation to the power dynamics of older individuals ## Footnote This suggests a shift in how age is perceived in the context of global influences.

Question 36

According to Daly, who is primarily expected to conform to physical standards?

Answer 36

Women ## Footnote This highlights gendered expectations in societal norms related to appearance.

Question 37

What concept did Itzin introduce regarding societal expectations?

Answer 37

Cosmeticisation ## Footnote This refers to the societal pressure for individuals, particularly women, to maintain physical appearance.

Question 38

What structural causes did Phillipson and Townsend identify for the inequalities faced by the elderly?

Answer 38

Elderly individuals can no longer meet the needs of the economy and are institutionally marginalised ## Footnote This suggests that economic factors play a significant role in the status of older adults.