Theoretical perspectives (Age)

• Functionalists believe that conflicts and inequities between different age groups are functional and are just a result of new generations adjusting to the norms and values of society. They also argue that any inequalities an age group may face are simply a result of their biological age and what they can or cannot offer society. (eg pay difference because they lack experience). Therefore meaning age inequalities are not problematic but instead simply inevitable.
• Name the 4 functionalists and their theories that explain why age inequalities are functional and natural:

  1. Parsons - Each age group plays a different role and the differences between the age groups and their roles are not problematic
  2. Parsons - Older people lose status in Western societies because they stop working
  3. Eisenstadt - Transition from childhood to adulthood
  4. Cummings & Henry - Disengagement Theory (old age is a period when people's abilities start to deteriorate.)
• Parsons believed that testing boundaries and being defiant was a natural part of being young. What was his reasoning for this?

  Adolescence: he saw this age group as a time of transition from childhood to adulthood, a time of transition into the values of adult society
• Who claimed that each age group plays a different role and the differences between the age groups are not problematic. Which is essential for a smooth-running society?

  Parsons
• Which sociologist stated that older people lost their status in Western societies because they stopped working?

  Parsons
• Parsons suggested that because people who did not work in Western societies lost their status the elderly naturally became disadvantaged:

  It resulted in the elderly often being less valued because they no longer contribute to society. Which can explain why poverty is higher in old age.
• Which sociologist suggested that the younger age groups were disadvantaged due to "a period of transition"?

  Eisenstadt
• Why did Eisenstadt argue that the transition from childhood to adulthood caused younger age groups to be disadvantaged?

  This period of transition is not always easy and can result in subcultural behaviour. However the elderly should socialise the younger into their social roles to ensure social cohesion. This argument can be used to explain why the younger generations are not being hired or paid as much as older workers. “they have not yet adjusted to adult norms and values”.
• Cummings & Henry use the disengagement theory to explain why the elderly are disadvantaged; but what is the disengagement theory?

  The idea is that people eventually die of old age and that people's abilities start to deteriorate while ageing. So when these elements of life inevitably happen there is a need for both the individual who aged and society to change the roles and responsibilities the person carries out. (ie the doctor retires but the doctors assistant (whos younger and more able) becomes the new doc)