SOC 103 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Rheumatism, Ontario Academic Credit, Uptodate
Document Summary
Canadians are not only living longer, but they are living more complex lives than earlier generations. One of the consequences of greater life expectancy is that more generations are co- existing. While inter-generational strife may develop, opportunities for inter-generational alliances also exist. Like race, gender, and class, age is an important source of difference: those at opposite ends of the age spectrum have less power and fewer resources than the middle-aged. It is important to understand that both the young and the old can be victimized by age-related discrimination. According to functionalists, the elderly gradually disengage from their social roles; this allows their replacement by younger workers. Symbolic interactionists, on the other hand, note that the elderly take on new roles as they age. Critical theorists point out that that the elderly are pushed out of the workforce rather than leave voluntarily. Both the young and the old have specific health concerns.