A a source of inequality

Negative associations with old people (1)

CORNER =

The language used by older participants about their own identity was mostly negative, reflecting that used by the media and popular culture 

Participants described the problem with old age for society and the ‘burden’ of the ageing population. 

 

Participants were concerned with becoming a ‘burden’ themselves and the dominant stereotype they presented was of later life and being of ill-health and dependency (negative perception of old age) 

Adulthood (1)

Bradley = argues Adulthood and middle age has a higher status than youth or old age - Middle Aged people are running the country and hold power at work. 

 

Through the lense of the life course approach adulthood is defined by transitions like work, marriage and independent living, It is associated with those in their 40’s and 50’s with family and stable careers. 

Adulthood (2)

However middle age is seen as negative at times, as if its ‘youth’ is lost as age comes closer.  

 

It is sometimes associated with negative ideals such as a ‘midlife crisis’ and ‘empty nest syndrome, which includes impulsive and antisocial behaviour. 

Growing up and growing old (1)

Hockey and James

Say that children are seen to lack the status of personhood and are excluded from the adult world into ‘specialist’ places for children such as schools' nurseries and the family. 

 

They are seen as opposite to adults, needing care and control, dependent and innocent. 

 

Hockey and James link old age and childhoods and argue that they are socially constructed in a similar way having lost their personally ‘status’ 

Growing up and growing old (2)

They use the term ‘infantilisation’ to describe this. 

 

In their research in retirement homes, they report that the clients were treated like children, they weren’t allowed to keep their own money and had their privacy taken away, their daily routine was decided for them. 

 

Growing up and growing old (3)

These such practices create self-fulfilling prophecies, James and hockey argued that in most cases it was not based on medical needs 

 

They argue that this identity is possible to resist, for example some male residents in the home exerted some power over female's staff.