By Diana Calhoun

1
Stratification by Age

• By Diana Calhoun

Children have never been any good at listening to
their elders, but they have never failed to
imitate them. James Baldwin
2
Aging Society

• What is age?

Age is an ascribed status that changes over
time. Age stratification, like gender
stratification varies between cultures. Age
stratification is inevitable in most cases do to
physical constraints . (ex. Physically demanding
jobs)
What do you see in the picture to the right?
Being old is a master status. Once you are
considered old, that is usually the first thing
that people point out.

• An old man.
• A white male.
• A married man.
• A man with glasses.

3
DISCUSION TOPIC
How do you think aging changes over time? How do
you believe that the experience of old
generations of modern day compares to generations
of the past? Do you think this will differ from
what our experience may be in the future?
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Aging Society
In the United States, elderly people can be
classified as a minority based on the model of
the five basic properties of a minority group
1. Unequal treatment
2. Shared physical characteristics
3. Involuntary membership in group
4. Group solidarity
5. Marriage affiliation
Negative stereotypes associated with elderly
people perpetuate their role as a minority group.
5
DISCUSSION
Have you noticed signs of second class treatment
of the elderly? I f so, in what ways?
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Sociological Perspectives on Aging
Gerontology the scientific study of the
sociological and psychological aspects of aging
and the problems the aged
A gerontologist is an individual who studies the
sociological principles and theories to explain
the impact of aging on individuals and society.
Gerontologists have varying views of aging.
Primarily the theories of disengagement and
activity.
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Sociological Perspectives on Aging
Sociological Perspective View of Aging Social Roles Portrayal of Elderly
Functionalist Disengagement Reduced Socially isolated
Interactionist Activity Changed Involved in new networks
Conflict Competition Relatively unchanged Victimized, organized to confront their victimization
8
Disengagement theory
This theory states that society and the aging
mutually break many of their relationships.
It emphasizes the notion that social roles are
passed down from one generation to another as a
means of maintaining social stability.
Some Gerontologists disagree with this theory
because it encourages the aging to be cast aside
and removed from a meaningful role in society.
Counterpoint Recent years have shown an
increase of elderly people in the work force.
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Interactionist Approach Active Theory
This theory states that the elderly remain active
and social.
Pro activity theorists state that the improved
physical well-being of the elderly increases the
need for healthy socialization.
It further states that the elderly involve
themselves with unpaid activities or post
retirement employment.
10
Conflict Approach
This theory finds fault in both the Disengagement
and Activity Theories because they ignore the
social class of the elderly.
Conflict theorists state, the upper class elderly
tend to enjoy old age more as opposed to the
working class elderly.
It is viewed that the low status elderly are
often exploited and face prejudice and
discrimination.
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Role Transitions Throughout the Life Course
Transitional stages take individuals from one
point in their life to another.
According the psychologist Daniel Levinson, there
are 3 stages
Stage 1 Young adults move out on their own,
begin careers and enter marriage. Stage 2
During the second stage, individuals are
traditionally at a midpoint in their life. Stage
3 The final life stage occurs after the age of
60, during which individuals are adjusting to
retirment.
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Stage Two
This point of life is a period of great
stress. The second stage is a period of self
evaluation where people reflect on what they have
and have not achieved. For some, it is referred
to as a mid-life crisis. People in stage 2 are
sometimes considered as the sandwich
generation, since the individuals cater to the
needs of their children and aging parents. Women
usually bear the lions share of these demands ,
since they are traditionally are the primary
caregivers.
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Stage Three

• This is a time when people prepare for and settle
  into the retirement years.
• The phases include
• Pre retirement When one anticipates and
  prepares for retirement.
• The Near Phase Period in which an individual
  finalizes the specifics of
• their retirement.
• Honeymoon Phase The time right after retirement
  when an individual
• enjoys the luxury of their newfound time.
• Disenchantment Phase This is the period when
  the retiree faces the
• negative aspects of retirement, which may
  include financial and health issues.
• Reorientation Phase This involves the
  structuring of a realistic plan of retirement.
• Stability Phase The period during which an
  individual has adjusted to
• retirement.
• Termination Phase This is when one can no
  longer participate in basic
• daily activities.

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DISCUSSION
How have people close to you dealt with their
retirement from the workforce? At what age do
you expect to retire?
15
Death and Dying

• This is the final stage of transition.
• Barring sudden events, it is traditionally met
  with 5 stages
• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance
• Individuals make this a time of settling
  outstanding issues, particularly financial, legal
  and family matters.
• Some may even plan their own funeral and
  facilitate a smooth transition into death.

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Aging Worldwide
Currently 7 percent of the world population is
over 65.
In approximately 40 years it is estimated that
every 1 n 3 people will be over the age of 65.
With an increased elderly population, all nations
will face financial issues as they pay for the
care of its elderly.
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The Worlds Oldest Countries, 2006
Percent age 65 or older
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Death Worldwide

• Cultures around the world transition into death
  in different ways according to their traditions.
• The Fulani people of Africa have the elderly
  family members move to the edge of their family
  homestead. This is where people are buried.
  They sleep over their own graves since the old
  are already considered dead.
• The Kaliai people of the South Pacific seek to
  have a good death. This consists of a final
  celebration hosted by the dying person to settle
  all debts and bring peace to those they leave
  behind.
• Western nations have utilized the practice of
  hospice care, which allows individuals to have a
  natural death or death with dignity
• In the Eskimo culture, elderly family members who
  feel theyre at the end of their life, will say
  goodbye to their family members. They will then
  venture into the wild to meet their death.

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Age Stratification in the United States
There has been a increase in longevity of life
expectancy and it is predicted that it will
continue to increase.
Referred to as the Graying of America, this
issue is currently on the forefront. There is a
vast difference in the socioeconomic status of
this group. Some are on fixed incomes, living in
poverty while others enjoy and improve standard
of living.
Currently the more impoverished elderly are women
or part of an ethnic minority group.
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Ageism
Ageism is a term used to define prejudice and
discrimination based on ones age.
It is illustrated in the media, particularly in
advertising. The elderly are rarely presented,
but when they are, they are usually aligned with
reliance upon others or addressing medical needs.
This was addressed in 2002 by the Senate Special
Committee on Aging, which openly criticized the
medias negative depiction of the elderly .
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Elderly Population in the US
Proportion of population
(projection)
year
22
DISCUSSION
As you watch TV, how inclined would you be to
watch a show based on the lives of elderly
characters vs. younger characters? (ex. Golden
Girls vs. Sex the City)
23
Competition in the Labor Force
The work force currently encompasses a record
number of elderly workers. In 2007, 34 percent of
men and 25 percent of women, ages 65 to 69 were
still active members of the workforce. This has
resulted in more competition in the labor force,
as well as the practice of age discrimination.
Age discrimination is illegal and in recent years
complaints of this practice have risen 41 percent.
Some employers use incentive packages as a means
of enticing its older workers into retirement.
Companies may use subtle discrimination tactics
to avoid hiring older applicants.
Counterpoint Some employers prefer elderly
employees because the y feel they are more
reliable, have a stronger work ethic and have
more experience.
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Elderly Advocacy
An increase in the elderly population has brought
forth an increase in collective action for their
causes.
Currently, the American Association of Retired
People (AARP) has 37 million members. They
encourage voter registration, and currently 1 out
of every 4 registered voters is an AARP member.
AARP advocates for senior causes such as
healthcare, and retirement programs to improve
the lifestyles of its members.
This phenomenon of elderly advocacy is world
wide. There are equivalents to AARP in other
parts of the world such as Canada and Germany,
which provide educational and recreational
activities for seniors.