Demography - Ageism, Modernity and Postmodernity Flashcards Preview

Sociology - Families And Households > Demography - Ageism, Modernity and Postmodernity > Flashcards

Flashcards in Demography - Ageism, Modernity and Postmodernity Deck (15)
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1
Q

What is ageism?

A

The negative stereotyping of people based on their age.

2
Q

What is ageism a consequence of?

A

An ageing population.

3
Q

How is old age viewed in modern society?

A

Identities and status’ based on our role in production =

  • old people are excluded from production.
  • so they have a dependent status and a stigmatised identity.
4
Q

How is life structured in modern society?

A

On fixed stages (youth, adult, old, etc).

  • people generate age-related identities; pupil, worker, pensioner.
  • old are excluded and become dependent.
5
Q

How is the ‘fixed life stages’ of modern societies different in postmodern societies?

A

They are broken down =

  • e.g. children dressing as adults, late marriage, early retirement, etc.
6
Q

How are our identities different in postmodern societies to modern societies?

A

Consumption is key to our identities, not production.

  • we define ourselves by what we consume.
7
Q

What does Hunt (2005) argue about identities in postmodern societies?

A

Due to greater choice, we can choose our identities regardless of our age.

8
Q

What is the impact from greater choice in postmodern societies?

A
  • They become central to consumerism (e.g. markets aimed at them).
  • This includes; anti-ageism products, gym memberships and cosmetic surgery.
9
Q

How is old age stigmatised in postmodern societies?

A

1). Products aimed to reduce appearances of old age

10
Q

How does postmodern societies undermine the idea that old age is a stigmatised life stage?

A

1). Media =

portray positive lifestyles of the elderly.

2). Products =

allow the old to ‘write new identities’.

11
Q

What does Pilcher (1995) argue about inequalities among the old?

A

Such as class and gender =

  • based on their previous occupation.
12
Q

What are the class inequalities among the old?

A

M/C =

  • greater pension, savings from higher salaries.
  • can remain looking young.

W/C =

  • lower salaries = lower life expectancy and less able to maintain youthful self-identy.
13
Q

What are the gender inequalities among the old?

A

Women =

  • lower pensions from having a lower paid job.
  • subject to sexist (“old hags”) and ageist stereotypes.
14
Q

What is the percentage of people suffering age discrimination?

A

Age Concern (2004) =

29%.

15
Q

Criticise the postmodernist view?

A

They understate the importance of these inequalities.

  • they are structural issues and they play a major part in shaping the experience of old people.