Marxist age inequality

• Castles and Kossack- Reserve army of labour


  Capitalism uses the young and old to fill the reserve army of labour.

  • Short term contracts mean their position is weaker and paid less than full time.
  • Full state benefits are withheld until 25, the bourgeoisie see youth as less than equal.
• Postmodernists criticise Castles and Kossack's theory as many older peope enjoy status and cast off the mask of the old. The line between age groups is starting to blur.
• Castles and Kossack- Scapegoating

  Youth and elderly are scapegoated.

  • Old people are blamed for the strain on welfare provision and NHS shortages.
  • Protects the bourgeoisie from direct criticism and rebellion.
  • Capitalist employers benefit from the cheap labour of youth.
• Functionalists criticised Castles and Kossack's idea of scapegoating as media is simply reflecting the value consensus and are truthful.
• Feminists such as Gannon criticise Castles and Kossack's idea of scapegoating for failing to see gender divisions. 80% of the elderly in poverty are women. Women are doubly disadvantage due to the menopause.
• Marx


  The youth do not own any means of production unless inherited and haven't accumulated any power in the labour market yet. The youth are members of the proletariat who have their surplus value stolen. Often work low paid jobs with zero hour contracts. Presented as less worthy through media so a lower wage is justified.
• Weber criticised Marx's two class model as it oversimplifies the differences between workers. Some young people do not own any means of production but still have power through their bourgeoisie parents
• Functionalists disagree with Marx that the youth are exploited, they deserve the lower wages as they have less skills and experience.
• Bourdieu Neo Marxist 


  Older people are more likely to be in positions of power so their cultural knowledge is dominant. Youth have less influence over cultural capital.
• Berry criticises Bourdieu as youth culture dominates digital media which disadvantages the elderly who are 'victim of a digital divide' due to their lack of skills.