1. Sociology in Modules
Richard T. Schaefer

2. Aging and Society Age Stratification
All societies have some system of age stratification that associates certain social roles with distinct periods in life
“Being old” is master status that commonly overshadows all others in U.S.
“Old” designation has major impact on how others perceive individuals and how they view themselves

3. Aging and Society Age Stratification (continued)
Properties of minority or subordinate groups apply to older people in U.S.
Experience unequal employment treatment
Share physical characteristics
Membership is involuntary
Strong sense of group solidarity
Generally married to others of comparable age

4. Sociological Perspectives on Aging
No clear-cut definitions for different periods of the aging cycle in U.S.
Old age typically regarded as beginning at 65
Increase in life expectancy led writers to refer to people in their 60s as the “young old”
Gerontology: scientific study of sociological and psychological aspects of aging and problems of the aged

5. Functionalist Perspective: Disengagement Theory
Older people are socially isolated, with reduced social roles
Disengagement theory: society and aging individuals mutually sever many of their relationships
Functionalists emphasize that passing social roles from one generation to another ensures social stability

6. Interactionist Perspective: Activity Theory
Older people involved in new networks and changing social roles
Activity theory: elderly persons who remain active and socially involved will be best-adjusted
Social interaction can lower death rates among elderly
Same need for social interaction as other groups
Focus on the potential contributions of older people to the maintenance of society

7. Labeling Perspective Old age is a life stage defined by society
Society reconsidering what makes a person old
Should old age be defined not by how old one is, but by how long one is expected to live?
Labeling of old age differs between cultures

8. Conflict Perspective
Elderly victimized by social structure, and their social roles are devalued
Impact of social structure on aging patterns
Treatment of older people in U.S. reflects many divisions in society
In developing world, transition from agricultural economies to industrialization and capitalism not always beneficial to elderly

9. Table 36-1: Sociological Perspectives on Aging

10. Aging Worldwide More than 570 million people age 65 or older
Europe’s population is older than others
Japanese enjoy life expectancy of 83 years; 79 in U.S.
In most developing countries, people over 60 in poorer health

11. Figure 37-1: World’s “Oldest” Countries versus the United States

12. Role Transitions throughout the Life Course
Socialization is lifelong process
Life course varies dramatically depending on personal preferences and circumstances
Midlife crises: period of self-evaluation typically beginning around age 40

13. The Sandwich Generation
Sandwich Generation: adults who simultaneously try to meet the competing needs of their parents and of their own children
Role of caring for aging parents falls disproportionately on women
Last major transition occurs after age 60
Causes dramatic changes in people’s everyday lives

14. Adjusting to Retirement
Rite of passage
Marks critical transition from one phase of a person’s life to another (Atchley, 1976)
Preretirement
Near phase
Honeymoon phase
Disenchantment phase
Reorientation phase
Stability phase
Termination phase

15. Adjusting to Retirement
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs): older Americans congregate in areas that gradually become informal centers for senior citizens
Residents of these communities threatened by gentrification

16. Figure 37-2: Baby Boomers Eyeing Retirement

17. Death and Dying
Kübler-Ross research encouraged open discussion of the process of dying
Identified five stages of the dying experience: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
Five stages of dying has been challenged
Concept of a “good death”
Hospice care: seek to improve dying person’s last days by helping him or her to stay at home or in a homelike setting

18. Age Stratification in the U. S.
The “Graying of America”
In the future, an increasing proportion of U.S. population will be composed of older people
At the same time, the “oldest old” will grow at a faster rate
Women outnumber men by a ratio of 3 to 2
Elderly more likely to be White
Highest proportions of older people in FL, PA, RI, IA, WV, and AR

19. Wealth and Income Significant variation in wealth and poverty
Typical older person has higher standard of living than in nation’s past
Greater accumulation of wealth in form of home ownership, private pensions, and financial assets
Still, about 9% of nation’s elderly live below the poverty line

20. Ageism Ageism: prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s age
For many, old age symbolizes disease
While physical condition does weaken with age, today’s older people are in much better shape than their counterparts one generation ago
Silver collar economy—the hiring of people 65 and older because of the belief that they are more reliable and productive

21. Competition in the Labor Force
Older workers face discrimination in the labor force
Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) went into effect in 1986
Courts made significant decisions in favor of older workers

22. Figure 38-1: Percentage of U. S
Figure 38-1: Percentage of U.S. Population in Selected Age Groups, 1970–2050

23. Figure 38-2: Minority Population Age 65 and Older, 2012–2050

24. Figure 38-3: Twenty-Eight Floridas by 2030

25. The Elderly: Emergence of a Collective Consciousness
Growing awareness of the social power of the elderly
AARP powerful lobbying organization
Formation of organizations for elderly homosexuals
Elderly in U.S. better off today than before, but they constitute diverse group

26. Social Policy and Age Stratification: The Right to Die Worldwide
Looking at the Issue
Physician-assisted suicide one aspect of larger debate in U.S.
Euthanasia: act of bringing about death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person
Public opinion divided
Greater legal tolerance for passive euthanasia

27. Social policy and Age Stratification: The Right to Die Worldwide
Applying Sociology
Informal norms seem to permit mercy killings
American Hospital Association estimates as many as 70% of all deaths in the U.S. quietly negotiated
Conflict theorists ask questions about the values raised by such decisions
People who died with a doctor’s help more likely to be socially, economically, and educationally privileged

28. Social policy and Age Stratification: The Right to Die Worldwide
Initiating Policy
In industrialized world, euthanasia legal and widely accepted in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland
In U.S., Oregon and Washington allows assisted suicide
Medical and technological advances allow us to prolong life
Cannot provide answers to complex ethical, legal, and political questions

29. Research Today 37-2: Native Americans and Death
Does your own family observe traditional cultural practices regarding death and dying, independent of formal religious ritual? If so, explain their meaning and importance to your family.
Apply the concepts you learned in Chapter 3 to Native American burial practices. Which of them do you find most useful in understanding these practices?

30. Research Today 38-1: Elderspeak and Other Signs of Ageism
Have you ever worked alongside an older person? If so, did that person’s age affect the way he or she did the job? In what ways?
Are older people the only ones who experience ageism? What signs of ageism might those who are not old experience?