The ElderlyChelsea Wittlich
Kryssi Bower
Thesis To discuss the various ways different
societies cope with ageing.
Ageing in Global Perspective
Social Construction of Ageing› Tiwi tribe: “covering up”
Extreme way to cope› Abkhasians: respect
Longest-lived people on earth Many factors account for their long lives Elderly continue to contribute to the group Not a burden to anyone
Ageing in Global Perspective
Effects of Industrialization› Higher standard of living› More food› Better public health measures› Effective ways to fight diseases› More people reach older ages
Ageing in Global Perspective
The Graying of America› Life expectancy› Has risen from 50 years old to 80› Graying of America› Life span
At least 122 years old
Ageing in Global Perspective
The Symbolic Interactionist Labeling and the Onset of Old Age
› People who are older than you seem “old”› This label gradually recedes further from
the self› At some point, a person must apply the
label of “old” to him or herself› People are used to gradual changes they
see in the mirror› Shocked to see friends who have aged
The Symbolic Interactionist What makes someone
“old”?› Biology
Physical signs of aging› Personal history
Accident that limits mobility
Generations
The Symbolic Interactionist What makes someone “old”?
› Gender age Relative value that a culture places on the
age of men and women Mature vs. old
› Timetables Signals societies use to inform their
members that they are old Particular birthdays
The Functionalist Perspective
How parts of society work together› Age cohort
If age cohort is large, more jobs open If age cohort is small, less jobs open When elderly retire, adjustments must occur
in society
The Functionalist Perspective
Disengagement theory› Society prevents disruption when elderly
leave positions of responsibility› Pensions
Mutual benefit› Smooth transition between generations
The Functionalist Perspective
Activity theory› The more activities they are involved in,
the happier they are› Research is mixed
Some elderly are content with not doing a lot Some are content only when they’re actively
involved in something Relationships with friends working
The Conflict Perspective Competition, disequilibrium, change
› Social Security Conflict Cause conflict between elderly and young Complaints that elderly are getting more
than their fair share of resources The graying of the U.S. leaves
proportionately fewer working people to pay for social security
Dependence ratio Medical costs have soared
Problems of Dependency Isolation, nursing homes, abuse,
poverty› Isolation and Gender
Women generally live longer Become widows in old age
Problems of Dependency Nursing homes
› Some residents return home after a few weeks or months
› Some die after a short stay› Many are widowed or have never been
married› Memory loss is common› Nursing homes are thought to neglect,
beat, mistreat elderly
Problems of Dependency Nursing Homes(cont’d)
› In reality, most nursing homes are relatively decent
› Most provide aides who take care of the patients
› A study of a well-run middle class nursing home showed 70% of residents who were parents grew
closer to their family 30% were still alienated from their children
Problems of Dependency Nursing Homes(cont’d)
› Nursing Home Reform Amendments passed in 1987 Provided a bill of rights for nursing home
residents› Technology in Nursing Homes
Email Reduces depression, loneliness, and boredom Keep in contact with relatives Actual email message
Problems of Dependency Elder abuse
› In interviews with random nursing home staff, 40% admitted to psychologically abusing
patients 10% admitted to physically abusing patients
› Most abuse actually takes place at home Family members, spouses Due to impatience and stress
Problems of Dependency The Elderly Poor
Fear of poverty› Gender and poverty
Women have lower income than men This follows women into old age
› Race and poverty Whites are least likely to be poor African American and Latinos almost three
times as likely to be poor
Sociology of Death and Dying Culture shapes the way people experience
death Industrialization and the New
Technology› Preindustrialized Societies
Sick were taken care of at home Died at home Life was short
Sociology of Death and Dying
Industrialized Societies› Dying is managed by professionals in
hospitals› Takes place behind closed doors
Isolated, disconnected, remote Institutional death
› Dying is now strange to us› Developed new ways to refer to death› As people grow older, the reality of death
is more real
Sociology of Death and Dying
Death as a Process› Denial
Cannot believe they are going to die Avoid topic of death
› Anger Think their death is unjust Others are more deserving
› Negotiation Bargain with God, fate, or the disease
Sociology of Death and Dying Death as a Process(cont’d)
› Depression Grieve because the end is near No power to change it
› Acceptance Come to terms with death Make wills Pay bills Christians talk about hope of salvation
Desire to be with Jesus
Works Cited Henslin, James. Sociology: A Down-To-Earth
Approach. 5. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001. Print. www.elderlysoftware.com/images/elderly.html www.tsadvantage.com Perkins, Tony. "Growth of the U.S. Older Adult
Population." Demographics of the Elderly Population. 15 Dec 1999. Indiana University. 15 May 2009 <http://iucar.iu.edu/geninfo/demo/growth.html>.
Duneir, Mitchell, and Appelbaum. Intorduction To Sociology. 5. W.W. Norton & Company, 2005. Digital
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