modern society

• what do sociologists argue ageism is result of

  'structured dependency'
• structured dependency


  -old are largely excluded from paid work

  -leaving them economically dependent on families/state

  -in modern society our identity & status largely determined by role in production
• who has a dependent status & stigmatised identity?


  -those excluded from production by compulsory retirement
• Phillipson (Marxist)


  -argues old are no use to capitalism

  -they're no longer productive

  -state unwilling to support them adequately > family (especially females) have to take responsibility of care
• how is life structured in modern society?


  -into fixed series of stages
• age important in role allocation


  -creating fixed life stages & age-related identities

  -old are excluded from role in the labour force

  -made dependent & powerless