Sociology 101 - Age Section

Socialization and the Life Course (2 of 2) Adulthood early: until under age 40, managing daily affairs, women may try to do it all middle: 40-65, circumstances are set, concerns over health, career, and family Old age (mid-60s and older) more seniors than teenagers – “the greying of Canada...

Socialization and the Life Course (2 of 2) Adulthood early: until under age 40, managing daily affairs, women may try to do it all middle: 40-65, circumstances are set, concerns over health, career, and family Old age (mid-60s and older) more seniors than teenagers – “the greying of Canada” more visible in everyday life Copyright © 2025 Pearson Canada Inc. 3-1 Gerontology: The Study of Aging and the Elderly Aging and Biology greying of hair wrinkles and declining energy loss of height and weight decline in strength and vitality sensory changes risk of chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions rises steadily 8 out of 10 Canadian seniors perceived health to be excellent, very good, or good Copyright © 2025 Pearson Canada Inc. 3-2 Aging and Culture Gerontocracy: a form of social organization in which elders have the most wealth, power and prestige; occurs in pre- industrial society Ageism: prejudice and discrimination against the elderly Retirement means a decline in income, but with pension programs poverty rates have declined Copyright © 2025 Pearson Canada Inc. 3-3 Death and Dying Among Canadians, men’s life expectancy is 78.8 years, while women’s life expectancy is 83.3 years Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s stages of dying: Denial Anger Negotiation: bargain with God Resignation Acceptance Copyright © 2025 Pearson Canada Inc. 3-4 The Life Course Each stage of life: – reflects the biological process of aging – is a social construction Societies organize the life course by age, but other factors shape lives: – class, race, ethnicity, and gender People’s life experiences also vary, depending on when, in the history of a society, they are born Cohort: a category of people with a common characteristic, usually their age Copyright © 2025 Pearson Canada Inc. 3-5