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Chapter 10: Ageism

Gray Soulsby Austin Walker Kayla Farlow Jack Scotti

Key Terms ● Age stratification: when the unequal

distribution of scarce resources (power, wealth, and prestige) in a society based on age

● Ageism: a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify prejudice and discrimination against a particular age group.

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I. Functionalism and Ageism● Elderly people in a society are treated

according to the role the aged play in that society

● In agricultural societies, elderly males usually have important roles, such as, priests or elders

● In colonial America, there was no stigma attached to age

● It was believed that God looked on elderly people with favor and the longer a person lived, the more likely he or she was chosen to go to heaven 3

● Americans used to make themselves appear older than they actually were by different clothing or powdered wigs

● Attitudes about age changed as industrialization changed the nature of work● In a technical society, aging tends to lead to a lower status because the

elderly cannot contribute to society as much as they used to● In modern societies that change more rapidly, younger workers are more

likely to possess the current skills needed in the workplace ● As people get older, their skills are more likely to be out of date in the

workplace ● Men have greater difficulty in older age because they tend to lose their status

in the workplace as they age 4

I. Functionalism and Ageism Cont.

Demo - Aging around the world. Aging is something that people all around the world

experience. However, as we reach older ages we begin to be treated differently. One major factory in the way elderly people are treated is the society that they live in, and how that society views the old. Some treat them with the utmost of respect and treat them well, while others see them as a burden of the younger generations to deal with. As a leftover generation.

What you are going to be doing for this demo is make two columns on your paper. One will be for countries that treat their elderly well, and the other countries that should work on their ways they treat the elderly. After that you will answer a couple questions about the columns.

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Countries:● Korea● America● Japan● China● Scotland● United Kingdom● Greece● France

1. Now that your two columns are completed, what do you notice about the countries in each? Similarities? Differences?

2. Why do you think that certain countries/ societies are better to their elderly than others?

Demo - Aging around the world.

Demo - Aging around the world. As you can see from the columns, societies that put

importance on their elderly treat them better. Eastern societies have a great respect for their elders, and believe that they are an important part of society. They show this in a number of ways.

On the other hand, countries that are more youth centric view elderly people as . These societies often determine value of an individual based on his or her ability to work, and ability to acquire new skills. As their health deteriorates, the elderly in these cultures often move to retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. However, conditions in these societies are improving. 7

II. Conflict Theory and Ageism● Elderly people compete with other age

groups for economic resources, power, and prestige.

● In the old days people worked laboriously in factories at any age and therefore received a more fair share of resources and wealth.

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Conflict Theory cont.

● Forced retirement is a way that competitors replace high priced old workers with less costly younger ones.

● The dominant groups use prejudice as a tool to control minority groups, stereotypes like being dull and unproductive contribute.

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Clip #1: Fried Green TomatoesScene Set up:

● In this scene Kathy Bates’s character, Evelyn Couch is looking for a parking spot, and finally finds one. However, it is taken from her by two younger women.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx0z9FjxP-Y

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Clip #1: Fried Green Tomatoes Conflict Theory:

● This scene from Fried Green Tomatoes is a perfect example of two different age groups competing for the same resources, in this case the parking spot.

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III. Symbolic Interactionism and Ageism● Children learn negative images of

older people the same way that they learn other aspects of culture

● Through socialization, stereotypes of elderly people are planted into a child’s view of the world

● Stereotypes are inaccurate and do not apply to all members of a group

● Elderly people are often stereotyped as senile, forgetful or “daft”

● Most elderly people are able to learn new things and adapt to change

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● Some elderly people fit the stereotypes and will as they reach 70 years old, but the stereotypes will never fit an entire group of people

Clip #2: Parental GuidanceScene Set Up:

● In this scene Artie gets fired from his job as a baseball announcer because he’s “old school” and not “up to date”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX97tBwn__Y 13

Clip #2: Parental GuidanceSymbolic Interactionism and

Ageism:

● This scene from Parental Guidance showcases stereotypes of old people not being able to adapt to change or learn new things.

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IV. Elderly People as a Minority GroupMain Idea: In our society, we have a negative stereotype of elderly people.

● Research studies on older people in institutions tended to focus on people with diminished mental and physical capacities

● This helped establish the American public’s negative view of the elderly● Racial, ethnic, and religious groups have been considered minorities for a

long time● Not too long ago women were recognized as a minority group ● Recently elderly people have become subject to the same discrimination and

stereotyping as other minority groups

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V. Economics of the ElderlyMain Idea: Although the stigma is that elderly people are financially well off, the opposite is true for a large % of them. The number of elderly people in the U.S. are living at or very close to poverty in the U.S. is more than the numbers suggest.

● Elderly people are not economically well off● The poverty level of elderly people is not

measured with the same criteria as younger people

● Poverty rate of older people would jump from 9.8% to 15% if measured with the same categories as younger people 16

Economics of the Elderly cont.● Poverty rate of elderly also doesn’t take into account the amount of elderly

people that are “nearly poor” (living close to the official poverty level) or the “hidden poor” (elderly people who live in institutions or with relatives because they cannot support themselves financially.)

● Old people in racial or ethnic minority groups generally live in worse conditions than older white Americans

● Elderly women are also twice as likely to live in poverty than elderly men, they are also one of the poorest segments of American society

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VI. Political Power and the ElderlyMain Idea: Elderly people are a one of the largest groups that vote in elections.

● Diversity in class among the elderly causes disunification for any potentially united caused.

● This weakens their political voices.● As more educated older class progress, it is

likely in the future that these citizens will become a new significant political force.

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Quiz Time!!

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Answers: 1. Priests2. There was no stigma3. They can’t contribute4. Younger people-they have the current

skills needed5. Men6. Forced retirement7. Socialization8. Forgetful9. All of the above

10. 9.8%