Patterns of age inequality

• Gig economy 


  Young people work in gig economy which neglects basic rights, such as holiday or sick pay. 66% of gig workers are aged 16-30
• Brinkley et al

  Young women are more likely to be in low paid, low skilled jobs than 20 years ago. Dominant ideology assumes teenagers will be in education for don't offer full time positions. No unemployment benefits for 16-18, reinforces the idea that they are not fully adult
• Arber and Ginn


  Older people make significant contributions to the economy via unpaid work. Low levels of income. 1/4 of older single female pensioners live on low income.
• MORI survey 


  People nearing retirement report being side-lined which affects their earning potential in their final years of employment.  
• Gannon

  Older women are doubly disadvantaged. Seen as ‘past it’ in terms of their economic value and ‘past it’ in terms of their sexual and reproductive value.  
• Garrod

  Many young people aged 16-24 are NEETS which makes it easy for companies to offer zero hours’ contracts as they have no other options and are unemployed in larger numbers 
• ONS


  Increased number of male NEETS, decreased number of female.
• Resolution Foundation


  1/3 of young people lost work due to Covid in 2020. 24% of young people furloughed compared to 12% of adults. More vulnerable to variations in job market.
• Young people earn less and have less wealth stored. Minimum wage is £5.28 for under 18s, compared to £10.42 for over 23s
• Independent- Sep 2018

  Millennials are economically disadvantaged, earning significantly less than predicted due to growing up in the post financial crisis era. Expected to earn 35,000 by 30, average 30 year old salary is 23,700