INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY A Canadian Focus Ninth Edition

Chapter 9 Aging Introduction Population aging: a growth in proportion of older people, typically 65 and over. 65+ years: now 12%; in 2041, 23%. Life expectancy: Women 81 years and men 76 years. Geriatrics: physiological aspects of aging. Gerontology: physical, psychological, and social aspect of aging. Later life, like other stages, has ups and downs. Stereotypes Negative Sick Isolated Ignored Lonely Positive Marathon running World travelling The Study of Aging Approaches: Aging as a process Older persons Emphasis Comparison of older with other aged groups Age effects or maturation: changes that are a result of aging Period effects: because of living at a specific time Functionalism Disengagement theory: withdrawal from working life is functional for society. Activity theory: the best prescription for successful old age is to remain active. Age-stratification perspective: young and middle-aged tend to be favoured. Society is age-graded: each cohort must go through a system of expectations and rewards. Conflict Exchange theory: focuses on the weak bargaining position of older people. Political economy of aging: older people lose power, depending on class, gender, ethnicity/race. Life course perspective: connects the lives of older people to earlier lives, emphasizing the link between individual and society. Feminist: aging as a woman’s issue. Critical theory: stress on dependency and policy. Symbolic Interactionism Social constructionist perspective: a micro level approach stressing: the subjective experience of older persons their ability to negotiate with others How a life is lived in old age is the result of the lifetime interplay between social structure and individual action. Profile of Older Canadians Provincial differences in percent of older people: Saskatchewan high, Alberta low. Aboriginal elderly are a small percentage. Ratio of women increases with age. Personal income of women is lower than men’s except single older women. Older men are more likely to live with a spouse. Institutional living for 75-84 years: 6% of men and 10% of women. Family Ties and Social Support Most 65+ people are married, but with age women are less likely to be married. Growing proportions will be divorced. Married women are likely to retire early to retire at the same time as usually older husbands. This could lead to a later disadvantage. Women are more likely to be caring for an ill partner Widowhood and divorce can leave women at a financial disadvantage and men isolated. (Cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Single women tend to fare better than single men. Gays and lesbians are able to deal with aging challenges, because of dealing with other challenges. Intergenerational ties: Solidarity perspective: family ties are strong Social problems: focus on shortcomings Ambivalent: family members are torn between love and demands (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Most older persons have living children. Children provide support, but seniors provide support for them, as well, e.g., baby sitting, money, housing. Dealing with older parents Daughters consult siblings Sons deal with parents Divorce of parents or children limits assistance. (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Childless older persons have same subjective well-being as parents. Idea that children prevent loneliness may not occur. Siblings are important as close friends for most elderly, closeness increases with age. Aging and Health Women live longer and have higher rates of morbidity than men. Aging brings physiological decline, e.g., senses. A function of age or disuse? Chronic illnesses increase: arthritis, hypertension, heart-related problems, diabetes, etc. Health care of elderly: will it cause a crisis? But, new old will be fitter; drugs and diagnostic services are needed by all; and high cost is in last months. Retirement Individual issues: Personal planning Decision to retire Adjustment to retirement Societal issues: Social policy and legislation Impact of social and economic trends Impact on pensions and responsibility for benefits Government Income for Older Canadians Canada/Quebec Pension Plans (CPP) Old Age Security Pensions (OAS) Living in Canada 40 years after age 18 Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Income-tested supplement Spouse’s Allowance? Widowed Spouse’s Allowance Benefits for those aged 60-64 Macro Level Costs of retirees: objectives are ensuring: an adequate basic income Adequate standard of living in retirement Majority of Canadians depend upon public pensions Mandatory retirement at 65 years. Individual justice: support flexibility Comparative justice (group rights): mandatory Avoids assessment of performance (cont’d) Macro Level (cont’d) Men are retiring earlier than 65 years. Recently, women are remaining longer at work. Retirement is difficult for those who Have fewer financial resources Have fewer interests or friendships Rely on a job for self-worth Have poorer health Women have ties, but financial problems. Social Policy and Future Directions Canadians have traditionally favoured more collective solutions to problems than Americans. More women working helps their financial position, but who cares for elderly? Cutbacks in services by governments place a greater strain on the family. Mandatory retirement requires public responsibility for support. Intergenerational equity will be a future issue. Looking Ahead Older population will be healthier, wealthier, and better educated. Will women have poorer pensions benefits? How will divorce affect social support? Canadians 65 can expect to live 18 years. 9 years disability-free 3 years of slight, 3 years of moderate, and 3 years of serious disability Click to edit Master title style Click to edit Master subtitle style * * * Chapter 9 Aging Introduction Population aging: a growth in proportion of older people, typically 65 and over. 65+ years: now 12%; in 2041, 23%. Life expectancy: Women 81 years and men 76 years. Geriatrics: physiological aspects of aging. Gerontology: physical, psychological, and social aspect of aging. Later life, like other stages, has ups and downs. Stereotypes Negative Sick Isolated Ignored Lonely Positive Marathon running World travelling The Study of Aging Approaches: Aging as a process Older persons Emphasis Comparison of older with other aged groups Age effects or maturation: changes that are a result of aging Period effects: because of living at a specific time Functionalism Disengagement theory: withdrawal from working life is functional for society. Activity theory: the best prescription for successful old age is to remain active. Age-stratification perspective: young and middle-aged tend to be favoured. Society is age-graded: each cohort must go through a system of expectations and rewards. Conflict Exchange theory: focuses on the weak bargaining position of older people. Political economy of aging: older people lose power, depending on class, gender, ethnicity/race. Life course perspective: connects the lives of older people to earlier lives, emphasizing the link between individual and society. Feminist: aging as a woman’s issue. Critical theory: stress on dependency and policy. Symbolic Interactionism Social constructionist perspective: a micro level approach stressing: the subjective experience of older persons their ability to negotiate with others How a life is lived in old age is the result of the lifetime interplay between social structure and individual action. Profile of Older Canadians Provincial differences in percent of older people: Saskatchewan high, Alberta low. Aboriginal elderly are a small percentage. Ratio of women increases with age. Personal income of women is lower than men, except single older women. Older men are more likely to live with a spouse. Institutional living for 75-84 years: 6% of men and 10% of women. Family Ties and Social Support Most 65+ people are married, but with age women are less likely to be married. Growing proportions will be divorced. Married women are likely to retire early to retire at the same time as usually older husbands. This could lead to a later disadvantage. Women are more likely to be caring for an ill partner Widowhood and divorce can leave women at a financial disadvantage and men isolated. (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Single women tend to fare better than single men. Gays and lesbians are able to deal with aging challenges, because of dealing with other challenges. Intergenerational ties: Solidarity perspective: family ties are strong Social problems: focus on shortcomings Ambivalent: family members are torn between love and demands (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Most older persons have living children. Children provide support, but seniors provide support for them, as well, e.g., baby sitting, money, housing. Dealing with older parents Daughters consult siblings Sons deal with parents Divorce of parents or children limits assistance. (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Childless older persons have same subjective well-being as parents. Idea that children prevent loneliness may not occur. Siblings are important as close friends for most elderly, closeness increases with age. Aging and Health Women live longer and have higher rates of morbidity than men. Aging brings physiological decline, e.g., senses. A function of age or disuse? Chronic illnesses increase: arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart-related problems, etc. Health care of elderly: will it cause a crisis? But, new old will be fitter; drugs and diagnostic services are needed by all; and high cost is in last months of life. Retirement Individual issues: Personal planning Decision to retire Adjustment to retirement Societal issues: Social policy and legislation Impact of social and economic trends Impact on pensions and responsibility for benefits Government Income for Older Canadians Canada/Quebec Pension Plans (CPP) Old Age Security Pensions (OAS) Living in Canada 40 years after age 18 Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Income-tested supplement Spouse’s Allowance? Widowed Spouse’s Allowance Benefits for those aged 60-64 Macro Level Costs of retirees: objectives are ensuring: an adequate basic income Adequate standard of living in retirement Majority of Canadians depend upon public pensions Mandatory retirement at 65 years. Individual justice: support flexibility Comparative justice (group rights): mandatory Avoids assessment of performance (cont’d) Macro Level (cont’d) Men are retiring earlier than 65 years. Recently, women are remaining longer at work. Retirement is difficult for those who Have fewer financial resources Have fewer interests or friendships Rely on a job for self-worth Have poorer health Women have ties, but financial problems. Social Policy and Future Directions Canadians have traditionally favoured more collective solutions to problems than Americans. More women working helps their financial position, but who cares for elderly? Cutbacks in services by governments place a greater strain on the family. Mandatory retirement requires public responsibility for support. Intergenerational equity will be a future issue. Looking Ahead Older population will be healthier, wealthier, and better educated. Will women have poorer pensions benefits? How will divorce affect social support? Canadians 65 can expect to live 18 years. 9 years disability-free 3 years of slight, 3 years of moderate, and 3 years of serious disability Chapter 9 Aging Introduction Population aging: a growth in proportion of older people, typically 65 and over. 65+ years: now 12%; in 2041, 23%. Life expectancy: Women 81 years and men 76 years. Geriatrics: physiological aspects of aging. Gerontology: physical, psychological, and social aspect of aging. Later life, like other stages, has ups and downs. Stereotypes Negative Sick Isolated Ignored Lonely Positive Marathon running World travelling The Study of Aging Approaches: Aging as a process Older persons Emphasis Comparison of older with other aged groups Age effects or maturation: changes that are a result of aging Period effects: because of living at a specific time Functionalism Disengagement theory: withdrawal from working life is functional for society. Activity theory: the best prescription for successful old age is to remain active. Age-stratification perspective: young and middle-aged tend to be favoured. Society is age-graded: each cohort must go through a system of expectations and rewards. Conflict Exchange theory: focuses on the weak bargaining position of older people. Political economy of aging: older people lose power, depending on class, gender, ethnicity/race. Life course perspective: connects the lives of older people to earlier lives, emphasizing the link between individual and society. Feminist: aging as a woman’s issue. Critical theory: stress on dependency and policy. Symbolic Interactionism Social constructionist perspective: a micro level approach stressing: the subjective experience of older persons their ability to negotiate with others How a life is lived in old age is the result of the lifetime interplay between social structure and individual action. Profile of Older Canadians Provincial differences in percent of older people: Saskatchewan high, Alberta low. Aboriginal elderly are a small percentage. Ratio of women increases with age. Personal income of women is lower than men, except single older women. Older men are more likely to live with a spouse. Institutional living for 75-84 years: 6% of men and 10% of women. Family Ties and Social Support Most 65+ people are married, but with age women are less likely to be married. Growing proportions will be divorced. Married women are likely to retire early to retire at the same time as usually older husbands. This could lead to a later disadvantage. Women are more likely to be caring for an ill partner Widowhood and divorce can leave women at a financial disadvantage and men isolated. (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Single women tend to fare better than single men. Gays and lesbians are able to deal with aging challenges, because of dealing with other challenges. Intergenerational ties: Solidarity perspective: family ties are strong Social problems: focus on shortcomings Ambivalent: family members are torn between love and demands (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Most older persons have living children. Children provide support, but seniors provide support for them, as well, e.g., baby sitting, money, housing. Dealing with older parents Daughters consult siblings Sons deal with parents Divorce of parents or children limits assistance. (cont’d) Family Ties and Social Support (cont’d) Childless older persons have same subjective well-being as parents. Idea that children prevent loneliness may not occur. Siblings are important as close friends for most elderly, closeness increases with age. Aging and Health Women live longer and have higher rates of morbidity than men. Aging brings physiological decline, e.g., senses. A function of age or disuse? Chronic illnesses increase: arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart-related problems, etc. Health care of elderly: will it cause a crisis? But, new old will be fitter; drugs and diagnostic services are needed by all; and high cost is in last months of life. Retirement Individual issues: Personal planning Decision to retire Adjustment to retirement Societal issues: Social policy and legislation Impact of social and economic trends Impact on pensions and responsibility for benefits Government Income for Older Canadians Canada/Quebec Pension Plans (CPP) Old Age Security Pensions (OAS) Living in Canada 40 years after age 18 Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Income-tested supplement Spouse’s Allowance? Widowed Spouse’s Allowance Benefits for those aged 60-64 Macro Level Costs of retirees: objectives are ensuring: an adequate basic income Adequate standard of living in retirement Majority of Canadians depend upon public pensions Mandatory retirement at 65 years. Individual justice: support flexibility Comparative justice (group rights): mandatory Avoids assessment of performance (cont’d) Macro Level (cont’d) Men are retiring earlier than 65 years. Recently, women are remaining longer at work. Retirement is difficult for those who Have fewer financial resources Have fewer interests or friendships Rely on a job for self-worth Have poorer health Women have ties, but financial problems. Social Policy and Future Directions Canadians have traditionally favoured more collective solutions to problems than Americans. More women working helps their financial position, but who cares for elderly? Cutbacks in services by governments place a greater strain on the family. Mandatory retirement requires public responsibility for support. Intergenerational equity will be a future issue. Looking Ahead Older population will be healthier, wealthier, and better educated. Will women have poorer pensions benefits? How will divorce affect social support? Canadians 65 can expect to live 18 years. 9 years disability-free 3 years of slight, 3 years of moderate, and 3 years of serious disability