Ch. 13 The Elderly
Terms
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- Elderly
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Aging is socially constructed
The Tiwi
The Abkhasians
Attitudes towards the aged differ from one social group to another - The Tiwi
- Family would lead mom in woods and barry her, and then in a week come back and check on her to see if she is dead when they think she is getting too old.
- The Abkhasians
- Among this group of people, you are the most respected, and smart. They still work. They have a highly developed sense of community.
- Gerontology-
- the study of aging and the elderly in this/other societies
- Effects of industrialization
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More people reach older ages
Social security taxes
Life expectancy- the # of years one can expect to live (1900->1950->2000)
The Graying of America
The increasing percentage of older people in the U.S. population (4%-> 13%)
Global perspective (life expectancy)
Elderly populations differ by states
Elderly populations differ by race-ethnicity
Maximum length of life possible is LIFE SPAN - LIFE SPAN
- Maximum length of life possible is ____ ____.
- The Graying of America
- The increasing percentage of older people in the U.S. population (4%-> 13%)
- Life expectancy-
- the # of years one can expect to live
- Symbolic interactionis perspective
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The label “oldâ€
Factors that lead people to apply the “old†label to themselves
Biology- signs of aging
Personal history- biography
Gender age- the relative values of men’s and women’s ages in a particular culture
Timetables- signals to inform old age has begun
Gerontocracy- society or group run by the elderly
Ageism- prejudice, discrimination, and hostility directed against people b/c of their age
Senior advantage?
Mass media
Media influence our ideas of the elderly - Biology-
- signs of aging
- Gender age-
- the relative values of men’s and women’s ages in a particular culture
- Timetables-
- signals to inform old age has begun
- Gerontocracy-
- society or group run by the elderly
- Ageism-
- prejudice, discrimination, and hostility directed against people b/c of their age
- Discounts
- What is a senior advantage?
- China:
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Changing sentiment about the elderly
High status of elderly Chinese
One child policy
No national social security
Support agreements - Functionalist perspective
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Age cohorts significantly affect our lives
Disengagement theory
Activity theory
Continuity theory - Disengagement theory
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Society prevents disruption by having the elderly disengage from their positions of responsibility so the younger generations can step into their shoes
older people leave their jobs to give younger people their jobs. - Activity theory
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Satisfaction during old age is related to a persons amount and quality of activity
you will be happier if you keep doing things. - Continuity theory
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How people adjust to change by continuing some aspect of their lives
don't just stop, continue to do things that you like to do. - Support agreements
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In chinese cultures
it's like a pre-nup
I agree to take care of my parents when they get old. - Conflict perspective
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Competition, disequilibrium, and change applied to age groups
Social security legislation
Intergenerational conflict
Social security
Shift in dependency ratio - Social security legislation
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forced to retire when 65
what if you can't afford it. - Social security
- Where current workers are paying current retirees.
- Nursing homes
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Only 4% of nation’s elderly in homes
Residents typically 85+, memory loss
Expensive! - Elder abuse
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40% of staff admit psychological abuse
10% admit physical abuse
Most abusers are family members