AGE INEQUALITY - PERSPECTIVES Flashcards
What does Parsons argue about age inequalities?
Youth is a bridge from childhood to adulthood
This explains that while some youth behave in a way that seems dysfunctional to society, it can actually allow for a more integrated society later
Institutions in society, such as the formal and informal agents of social control are set up to then deal with these actions, to show young people how to behave and grow into functional adults
Similarly, some elderly people become less physically able to maintain their roles in society specifically in the world of work
Functionalists such as Parsons, would view this in terms of social roles and social stability - as the elderly may need to change roles that they can no longer fulfil, new roles are to be acquired
The elderly have become an invaluable source of free childcare, with grandparents caring for their children’s children
What is Cummings and Henry disengagement theory?
Take a similarly consensus approach to explaining age inequality
Disengagement theory starts with the idea that all people will die - with ageing, a person’s abilities are likely to deteriorate
As this process happens, there is a mutual need for the individual to be relieved of their responsibilities and roles - this leaves a space in society which needs to be filled
A process of disengagement helps to manage the social instability that would occur when this happens
What is the evaluation of functionalism?
A common critique is their assumption of homogeneity when looking at society and inequality - not all older people deteriorate at the same age
Other claim that these views always look at the bright side, largely ignoring the negative experience of ageing - not all elderly people are able to take in a new role and stay happy and not all youths are successfully guided by the agents of socialisation and may not leave deviant behaviour behind
What is the marxist view on age inequality?
Focus on the needs of capitalism when explaining inequality
Youths are both an asset due to the energy and new skills that they can provide, such as technological skills
They can be a cheap source of labour due to lower minimum wages, which is beneficial to the bourgeoisie and the capitalist system
The elderly providing free childcare is good for capitalism as it means the young will still be able to work
Phillipson, Gramsci, Townsend and Phillipson
What is a reserve army of labour and how does it relate to age inequalities?
Marx stated that a reserve army of labour was a necessary part of capitalism
Some members of society are a secondary source of labour
Can be applied to the employed and unemployed and the young and the old
These groups can be used at ‘boom times’ as temporary or flexible labour
Growing market of ‘zero-hour contracts’ where employees are only given work when work is available
Benefits such as pensions and sick pay are not given - those in reserve for work are more likely to take up these contracts, such as unemployed youth or elderly
What does Phillipson argue about age inequalities?
Historically, the elderly have been used as a reserve army of labour but this has changed in recent years - age inequality can be seen as a social construction used to benefit the bourgeoisie
What does Gramsci argue about age inequalities?
False consciousness explains that people do not realise their exploitation often through concessions that they receive - child benefits and pensions
Creates a form of dependency, legitimating the need for the powers of authority
Thus, the elderly and young do not question their exploitation through the labour market
What do Townsend and Phillipson argue about age inequality?
Focus on inequality meeting the needs of the economy
Places elderly in a negative position as a burden on the economy
Capitalism uses the young and old to benefit the system and serve its needs - institutionally marginalised
Institutional dependency - elderly retire and younger people take their place
Forced dependency - elderly dependent on society as they are denied access to work - lowers status
What is the evaluation of marxism and Neo marxism?
Ignores the lack of a homogeneous experience of age
Macro approach which ignores factors such as class, gender, nationality, disability and wealth
Many elderly are not systematically marginalised
With an ageing population, there has been a growth of “grey pound”
What are the feminist key names for age inequality?
Arber and Ginn, Itzin, Daly
What did Arber and Ginn argue about age inequality?
When looking at women and inequality, factors such as age affect power and status
Older women face inequalities that older men do not
What does Itzin argue about age inequalities?
Women face double standard - men’s status directly linked to employment and women’s linked to their reproductive cycle
Women’s status devalues after childbearing age
Older women feel pressure to fight signs of ageing which is capitalised on by many industries
What does Daly argue about age inequalities?
Similarities to many global practices that women made to comply with, such as genital mutilation, in that women expected to conform certain physical standards
What is the evaluation of feminist views on age inequalities?
Miss the true cause of inequality e.g. poverty
The structuralist, macro nature of feminism ignores the fact that females, old or young, are not a homogenous group and factors such as wealth and social class effect life chances
Not all young and old women face discrimination
Males also go through pressure to cosmeticise
Cosmeticisation is not a forced process - people can choose to do so
What does Parkin argue?
Some ethnic minorities suffered in negatively privileged g status groups
Ethnic minorities can be kept out of high status privileged groups due to social segregation
Elderly are often socially, segregated in the media, in employment and in living arrangement
