1. Chapter 5
Aging and Inequality

2. Gerontology Gerontology – the study of aging and the elderly
“Demographers project that by the year 2040, ¼ Americans may be 65 or older (compared to 1/8 today), and as much as 60% of the federal budget (compared to 30%) will be required to support the elderly.” – Stephen Sapp

3. Industrialization and Aging
Pre-industrial societies
Gerontocracy – a social system that gives a society’s oldest members the most wealth, power, and prestige.
Industrial Societies
Elderly as a social problem

4. The Graying of United States
“Graying of the United States”- trend that the elderly population is increasing rapidly
1900 – 4% older than 65, 3 million
1950 – 8%
2000 – 12.5%
2030 – 20%, 55 million

5. The Elderly
Life expectancy – the average life span of a country’s population
Males 75, Females 80
The “younger old” – 65-74
The “older old” – 75-84
The “oldest old” – 85+
The “oldest old” increasing most rapidly

6. Problems of Aging Social Isolation Retirement
Ageism – prejudice and discrimination against older people
Victimization of the elderly
Caregiving

7. Problems of Aging Poverty Housing Medical Care Death and Dying
• Age Stratification – social inequality among various age categories within a society
Housing
Medical Care
Death and Dying
• Euthanasia – assisting in the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease

8. Interest Groups The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
The National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSC)
Americans for Generational Equity (AGE)

9. Politics and Aging
Liberals advocate more government assistance, while conservatives believe more responsibility should lie with the family.

10. Theoretical Analysis Structural-Functional Analysis
Disengagement theory
Symbolic-Interaction Analysis
Activity theory
Social-Conflict Analysis