Ageing Population

Stats

1971 average age was 34.1 and in 2024 it is 40.3

By 2037 it is seen it will be 42.8

2020 1 in 5 are over 65

Impact : good

• Spijker and Maclnnes- old people live healthier now than previous

• Taking part campaign 2013 - 4.9 million aged 65+ took part in volunteering

• Economically useful - put a lot into the travel and tourism industry

• 1 in 10 people aged 65+ now in work

Stats - bad impacts

Impacts: bad

• health care in England found that 65+ occupied ½ time in hospital

• 1.6 million pensioners living in poverty

• ¼ women aged 50-64 regularly care for ill relatives

• Around ½ state welfare budget spent on pensioners

• State pension is only £230.35 a week

Functionalism summary

Cumming and Henry said disengagement can be positive as through retirement it frees up jobs and new skills for them (AO3 skilled in different way but still important) and free childcare helps families work and connect

AO3 - rose tinted - loneliness epidemic and may not want to take in responsibilities/ cannot

Marxism

Phillipson argues that capitalism views elderly as a burden. With pension a week it can’t cover medical, carers, insurance, rent bills house adaptions etc

During work there are inequalities that affect old age - low paid job, work for longer and don’t get private pensions

Loughborough uni - £12 800 in 2022 was minimum needed to live as a pensioner

Feminism

Women take on the care of elderly members - dual earner and triple shift

Inequality between couples in old age - men are more reliant and children and have to look after husband

Women are judged more on appearance than men (men called silver fox) BBC subjects older women and writes them off if they become unattractive

Postmodernism

Hunt - argues we can choose lifestyle regardless of age. People defy age by travelling, using tech, health and fitness, moving and cosmetic treatments

A03 - not everyone can define their age due to illness and attempts like cosmetic surgery reinforces the idea that ageing is bad

29% suffer discrimination

Key study

Relationships between young people and grandparents - Ross et al

Grandparents help mediate conflicts and listen during conflict and some feel they carry out more than they wanted and good for childcare