Sociology

 The stages of our life as we go from birth to death  Affects our behavior and orientation to life  Affected by social class, race, ethnicity, and gender

 Childhood is not only biological, it is social ◦ Varies depending on history, social class, location

 Adolescence is a social invention – early 1900s ◦ Industrial surpluses meant children could remain outside workforce ◦ Children remained in school longer  Children attempt to “find” themselves on their own  Develop their own subculture

 Postindustrial societies are adding a period of extended youth to the life course  Haven’t taken on the responsibilities ordinarily associated with adulthood  “Lost Generation”Lost Generation”

 People more secure in their “self”  Serious disruptions to the self may occur – divorce, job loss, etc.  Special challenge for women who “want it all”

 Change in orientation – “Time Spent to Time Left” ◦ Evaluate past – what they’ve accomplished ◦ Come to terms with what lies ahead  “Sandwich Generation”Sandwich Generation  Comforts – Job security, increased standard of living, children grown, etc.

 Often an extension of the middle years  Death becomes less abstract

 No set beginning point for this stage  Usually marked by growing frailty and illness

 Life is not merely biology, but is influenced by social factors  History has an important impact on how you live  Social Location (class, gender, race) and individual factors (ex: entering college late) impact life course

 Each of us is actively involved in the construction of our “self”  We are not passive “robots” impacted by socialization