interactionism

• Labelling theory


  Negative labelling and stigmatisation of both the elderly and the young by the media and other agents of social control and socialisation could be said to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
• Victor


  If elderly are labelled as useless, dependent, lonely and unable to learn, then those stereotypes become reality (self fulfilling prophecy)
• Cohen 


  Moral panics - lead to labels being created on the elderly, and lead to self fulfilling prophecies.

  If they are portrayed this way in the media and no one will change their perspectives, they might aswell act this way
• Ray et al

  negative stereotypes or labelling about old age can also impact on the way people react to ageing themselves.

  They may view themselves as useless and unable to learn. 
• Hockey and James


  • Childhood and old age are social constructs, marked by dependency, though children and elderly could be more independent than society permits.
  • Historically, children worked more and elders were denied work opportunities.
  • However, H&J argued that those marginalised and made dependent do not always accept their status and may resist
• Hockey and James - resistance

  1. They can use alternative sources of power to resist (e.g. wealthy elderly people have higher power so they use this)
  2. Denying membership of a subordinate group and pretending to belong to a higher status one. Teenagers often pretend to be 18 to buy alcohol. Elderly people may cling onto roles which make them feel/appear younger
  3. Belonging to a disadvantaged group can be a source of power. Hockey - residents in care homes resisted infantilisation by acting childishly. By breaking taboos and asserting independence, they reclaimed some control