Navigating Life Final

What is positionality?

Positionality refers to explicit statements about how a person’s social location (e.g., race, class, gender, education) influences how they teach, learn, and conduct research.

Why is positionality important?

It helps us recognize biases and perspectives, allowing for a more critical and accurate understanding of knowledge and “truths” being presented.

How does positionality affect perspective?

It shapes how we interpret the world by influencing our beliefs, biases, and experiences.

What is meant by “social location”?

Social location refers to a person’s position in society based on factors like class, race, gender, education, and relationships to power.

What is the purpose of a land acknowledgment?

To recognize Indigenous peoples, histories, and ongoing impacts of colonization, and to reflect on one’s responsibilities in reconciliation.

What is social inequality?

Unequal access to opportunities and resources among different groups in society

• it shapes life outcomes, opportunities, and access to rights, privileges, and resources.

What does “differences that matter” mean?

Differences that lead to real consequences, such as advantage or disadvantage.

How does social inequality create unfairness?

It privileges some groups while disadvantaging others in long-lasting ways.

What are social structures of inequality?

Durable, long-lasting patterns of advantage and disadvantage based on categories like gender, race, age, class, and sexuality

How do social structures affect individuals?

They shape opportunities, behaviours, and life outcomes beyond individual control.

What is individual agency?

The ability of individuals to act independently and make their own choices

Why is agency important in social inequality?

Because people can resist and challenge social structures, enabling social change

Give examples of resisting social structures.

Challenging patriarchy

Refusing traditional retirement norms

Rejecting age expectations (e.g., not dyeing hair)

What does “lives in time and place” mean?

Social inequality is shaped by historical context and geographical location.

How does inequality change over the life course?

It evolves based on life stages and is influenced by the generation someone belongs to.

What is age stratification?

The organization of society into age-based categories with different roles, expectations, and access to resources.

What is a cohort?

A group of people born in the same time period who share similar historical experiences

What is age stratification theory?

A theory that explains how society assigns roles, norms, and expectations based on age.

What is the life-course fallacy?

The incorrect assumption that experiences at one stage of life apply universally across all age groups.

What is cohort centrism?

The belief that one’s own generation’s experiences are universal or superior.

What is age reification?

Treating age categories as fixed and natural rather than socially constructed

What does it mean to categorize people by age?

Assigning roles, expectations, and stereotypes based on age groups

What is the significance of the Margaret Laurence quote?

It highlights how both the very young and the very old are often marginalized and seen as “other” by middle-aged adults.

What does it mean that age is socially constructed?

Society creates meanings, expectations, and inequalities based on age.

Why is age considered fluid?

Because everyone moves through age categories over time.

What are age relations?

Social interactions and power dynamics between different age groups.

What is age discrimination?

Unfair treatment based on age

Does age discrimination still exist despite laws?

Yes, especially in hiring, and it is often difficult to prove.

Why is ageism socially tolerated?

Ageist jokes and stereotypes are more accepted than other forms of discrimination

What is intersectionality?

The overlapping and interacting effects of multiple social identities (e.g., age, race, gender, class).

How does age intersect with social class?

SES affects access to resources, health, and opportunities across the lifespan.

Who developed cumulative inequality theory?

Angie O’Rand and Ken Ferraro

What is cumulative inequality theory?

A theory explaining how disadvantages (or advantages) build up over time across the life course.

• Originally focused on social class and how economic disadvantage accumulates over time

• Was extended to include gender, race/ethnicity, and intersectionality

What is cumulative disadvantage?

The process where early disadvantages compound over time, leading to greater inequality later in life.

What is the purpose of a land acknowledgment beyond recognition?

To educate and inspire meaningful action, not just be performative

What are processes of distribution?

The ways material resources are transferred or exchanged in society.

What are the two types of distributive processes?

Private and public

What are private distributive processes?

Transfers of resources within families

Examples of private distribution?

Inheritance

Paying for university

Family business work

Financial support during life transitions

What are public distributive processes?

Resource distribution through government or state systems

Example of public distribution?

OSAP (student financial aid)

What are intergenerational transfers?

The exchange of resources, support, and services between generations, including both family (private) and government (public) transfers, occurring across the life course.

It’s about:

• WHO gives

• WHO receives

• WHAT is given

• WHY it’s given

• HOW society structures it

What direction do financial transfers usually flow?

From older generations (grandparents/parents) to younger ones

What do younger generations typically give older ones?

Care, support, and emotional connection

What misconception exists about public transfers?

That youth are disproportionately disadvantaged, ignoring support across the life course

How is health defined?

A multidimensional concept including physical, psychological, and social factors.

Includes:

• Biological/physiological

• Psychological

• Social

• Policy/environmental

How does the physical environment affect health?

Pollution, housing, and access to healthcare facilities impact health outcomes

How does the social environment affect health?

Discrimination reduces care quality

Lack of social networks harms well-being

Social support improves health

How do lifestyle choices affect health?

Exercise improves health

Smoking/drinking harm health

Poor diet harms health

Chronic stress harms mental and physical health

How does the World Health Organization define health?

As the absence of disease and a state of overall well-being.

What are key components of good health?

Physical health

Mental well-being

Sense of feeling healthy

Independence

What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

Basic self-care tasks needed for independence (e.g., eating, bathing).

What legislation shaped Canada’s healthcare system?

The Medicare Act (1966) and the Canada Health Act (1984)

What are the core principles of the Canada Health Act?

Public administration

Universality

Comprehensiveness

Accessibility

Portability

What does universality mean?

All eligible individuals are insured equally.

Who may not be fully covered under universality?

International students

Recent immigrants (waiting period)

Refugees (co-pay systems)

What does “comprehensive” mean?

Coverage of medically necessary services.

Why is “medically necessary” controversial?

It varies by province.

What does accessibility mean?

No discrimination in access to healthcare

How does the U.S. compare in health outcomes?

It has lower life expectancy despite being more privatized.

What are social determinants of health?

Social factors that influence physical and mental health outcomes

How does gender affect health?

Women live longer but with more illness

Higher stress/anxiety

Greater healthcare use

How does sexuality affect health?

LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination in healthcare

What is the healthy immigrant effect?

Immigrants initially have better health than native-born Canadians

What happens to immigrant health over time?

It declines and converges with the general population

How does race/ethnicity affect health in Canada?

Indigenous and Black Canadians have poorer health outcomes.

How do social determinants influence lifestyle?

They shape behaviours like exercise, diet, and smoking.

What is a key fact about chronic illness?

Most people experience at least one during their lifetime.

When are chronic illnesses most common?

In later life

How do older adults rate their health?

Often surprisingly high (self-rated health).

What trend is increasing among older adults?

Longevity and number of centenarians

Which group has higher mood disorders?

Younger people

How does cancer prevalence change with age?

Increases dramatically with age

How does COPD change with age?

Increases significantly with age.

How does heavy alcohol use vary by age?

Higher in younger people, declines with age.

How does smoking vary by age?

Higher in younger groups; lower in older groups due to health effects and quitting

How does diet (fruit/vegetable intake) vary by age?

Not significantly different.

Is Canada’s healthcare system as bad as media suggests?

It is under stress but often overstated.

How can community be defined?

By geographic boundaries or by social relationships

What is a “sense of community”?

A feeling of belonging that may not depend on physical location

Give examples of non-geographic communities

Ethnic/cultural groups

Religious groups

Sports teams

LGBTQ+ communities

What are age-integrated communities?

Communities that include people of all ages.

What are age-segregated communities?

Communities designed for specific age groups only

Examples of age-segregated communities?

Retirement homes

Daycares

Youth groups

University dorms

What does “aging in place” mean?

Staying in one’s current home and community as one ages

Why do most older adults prefer aging in place?

To maintain identity, independence, and familiarity

What makes aging in place difficult?

Loss of ability to perform daily tasks

Unsafe environments (e.g., crime)

What is the ecological model of aging?

A model examining how individual abilities interact with environmental demands.

What is individual competence?

A person’s ability to function in their environment.

Includes:

• Physical health

• Cognitive ability

• Sensory/motor skills

• Functional ability

What is environmental press?

The demands placed on individuals by their environment

Includes:

• Social environment

• Physical environment

• Structural conditions

Examples of social environment factors?

Social networks

Social norms

Community structure

Economic cycles

Examples of physical environment factors?

Housing size

Transportation access

Assistive devices

How do competence and environmental press interact?

Higher competence allows individuals to handle greater environmental demands

What happens when environmental press is high and competence is low?

Leads to stress, negative emotions, and maladaptive outcomes

What is the 8–80 cities idea?

If a city works for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, it works for everyone

Why do many older adults feel disconnected?

Cities are often designed for younger adults (e.g., fast-paced, crowded)

What demographic shift is expected by 2050?

More people aged 65+ than under 65.

What is the key idea behind designing cities?

We are designing for our future selves, not just current older adults

Why should retirement facilities be integrated into communities?

To avoid isolation and segregation.

What is universal design?

Housing designed to be accessible for all people regardless of ability