Sociology 3315F/G Chapter : Gee- Population and Politics
18 Jan 2012
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Document Summary
Voodoo/apocalyptic demography: the tendency for the aging population to often be named the cause for a leaner and meaner canada. The idea that the aging population has a catastrophic consequence on society. That hordes of older people will bankrupt society due to their incessant demands on health care and public pensions. Intergenerational equity/inequity: the idea that an aging society exacts an unfair price on the younger population. { 5 themes: (1) homogenization of people on the basis of age. Old people are all the same- well off. (2) age-blaming. (3) the shifting age structure is considered a social problem. (4) intergenerational injustice. (5) intertwining of population aging and social policy concerns. Public pension sustainability is threatened by the baby boomers: a deconstruction of apocalyptic demography. > two measures: proportion of the population that is 65 and over and the dependency ratio. Dependency ratio: the number of dependent people to independent people.
