1. Chapter 15 Pages

2.  Is it fair to increase the retirement age as our life expectancy average increases?  What are some pros and cons of not increasing the retirement age?

3.  Gerontology – The study of aging and the elderly.  Age Stratification – The unequal distribution of wealth, power and priveledge among people at different stages of the life course.  Gerontocracy – A form of social organization in which the elderly have most the wealth, power and prestige.

4.  Caregiving – Informal and unpaid care provided to a dependent person by family members, other relatives or friends.  Ageism – Prejudice and discrimination against older people.

5.  Disengagement Theory – The idea that society functions in an orderly way by removing people from positions of responsibility as they reach old age.  Activity Theory – The idea that a high level of activity increases personal satisfaction in old age.

6.  Euthanasia – Assisting in the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease; also known as mercy killing.

7.  What are some stereotypes of the elderly?  What do you consider “old age” to be?  Does the elderly hold an economic burden in the U.S.

8.  Elderly Population (65 years old +) has increased tenfold during the last century.  By 2030, the number of senior citizens will double to 71 million from 2005 when it was 36 million.  The average age in 2030 will be almost 40 years old.

9.  Read the report on page 392 about Japan’s elderly situation and answer the 3 corresponding questions.

10.  In wealthy nations like the U.S. two factors add to the increase of the elderly population.  Low Birth Rates  Longevity (Life Expectancy Increasing)

11.  On page 393, view the map and determine where the majority of the elderly reside in the U.S.

12.  Age Segregation will decline as our country’s elderly population increases.  The higher percentages of older people are found in the Midwest U.S.  The “young-old” are between 65-75 and the “old- old” are past age 75.

13.  As we age, our body goes through a series of changes, most of these changes are viewed negatively by our culture.  The majority of the elderly are not disabled.

14.  Read the article on page 395 and answer the 3 corresponding questions.

15.  In hunting and gathering societies, the elderly become less active and are an economic burden to society.  In pastoral, horticultural and agrarian societies, the elderly are the most privileged members of society holding the most wealth, power and prestige.

16.  Industrialization tends to erode the social standing of the elderly.  Japanese society in some ways however are an exception to this pattern.

17.  Neugarten identifies four personality types that respond differently to the aging process.  1. Disintegrated and Disorganized Personalities  2. Passive-dependent Personalities  3. Defended Personalities  4. Integrated Personalities

18.  Social Isolation results from retirement and the death of significant others.  It is more of a problem for women as they tend to outlive their partners.  Retirement often entails a reduction of income, diminished social prestige and a loss of purpose in life.

19.  Read the article on page 400 and answer the 3 questions that correspond with the page in your notebook.

20.  Around 80 percent of caregivers are family members.  Abuse of the elderly are often found in many different forms.

21.  Based off of stereotypes found in the media.  May be blatant or subtle.  There is discussion to consider the elderly a minority.

22.  Based off of stereotypes found in the media.  May be blatant or subtle.  There is discussion to consider the elderly a minority.

23.  The elderly are a smaller segment of our population and face characteristic challenges.  Do you consider them to be a minority? Why or Why not?

24.  The elderly are a smaller segment of our population and face characteristic challenges.  Do you consider them to be a minority? Why or Why not?

25.  Answer the following question based off of the Ageism Video  How does ageism occur in the Work Place, Medical Institutions and Culturally

26.  Structural-Functional Analysis  Disengagement creates major financial problems for the elderly in many cases.  Many elderly people do not wish to disengage.  The social disadvantages of disengagement usually outweigh its advantages.

27.  Symbolic-Interaction Analysis  The Activity Theory notes the diversity among the aged population.  It tends to exaggerate the well-being and competence on the elderly.

28.  Social-Conflict Analysis  This perspective notes that in capitalist societies the aged often suffer discrimination at the hands of more powerful groups.  It seems likely that the central problem is industrialization rather than capitalism.  This view also overlooks recent improvements in the circumstances of the elderly.

29.  Read the “Thinking Globally” insert on page 406.  Answer the 3 questions that follow the reading.  We will go over the answers in a few minutes.

30.  Historical patterns showed that confronting death in the past was a commonplace.  The modern separation of life and death shows modern society fostering a desire for eternal youth and immortality.  Death in modern society has become separate of life rather than a part of it.

31.  Bereavement may parallel the five stages by which we confront out own death:  Denial  Anger  Negotiation  Resignation  Acceptance  The hospice movement has developed to help people prepare for death.

32.  The health of tomorrow’s elderly people is better than ever.  Younger adults will face a mounting responsibility to care for aging parents.  An aging population will almost certainly change the way we view death.

33.  Read the “Controversy and Debate” insert on page 408.  Answer the 3 questions that follow the reading.  We will go over the answers in a few minutes.