Topic Summaries

Age inequality

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  • Functionalist view – disengagement theory: (👤 Cumming and Henry, 1961) older people withdraw from work to allow younger workers in, which is seen as functional for society.
    • Ignores enforced retirement and age discrimination.
  • Marxist view – reserve army of labour: (👤 Phillipson, 1988) older workers are used when needed and discarded when surplus. Pensions are kept low to maintain a compliant workforce.
    • Underplays diversity of experiences in old age.
  • Postmodernist view: (👥 Featherstone and Hepworth, 1982) age boundaries are breaking down, retirement is no longer a fixed identity, and consumer culture creates new ageing identities.
    • Ignores persistent material inequalities among older people.

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