Social Inequality in Elderly Americans
Social Inequality in Elderly Americans
Elderly people (women and men age sixty-five or older) (Macionis, 2005), Have many obstacles to face as they grow older, many of these obstacles involve social inequality. Not only do the elderly have to learn to deal with many forms of Ageism (the stereotyping and prejudice against individuals or groups because of their age), some also have to deal with the fact that they do not have enough savings or pension benefits to be self supporting, for most people over sixty-five, the major source of income is social security (Macionis, 2005). This forces many elderly Americans back into the workforce to continue to earn money to support themselves and or spouses. Although many elderly Americans may choose to work into later stages of their life for personal satisfaction, some choose to continue work for lack of money, and may be discriminated against in the workforce by facing ageism. Once out of the workforce, the elderly population may also have to face poverty and elderly abuse.
Many elderly Americans decide to retire at around age sixty-five, and many have chosen to say in the labor force well beyond retirement age. A reason for this many be that better health now allows people who want to work, to stay in the labor force (Macionis, 2005). Aging Americans face considerable economic discrimination, especially in the workplace (Falk & Falk, 1997). For example, older workers are sometimes fired regardless of their job performance or passed over for promotions in favor of younger employees (Falk & Falk, 1997). I have seen first hand, a man named Mo, whom I currently work with, fired from a position because the budget no longer allowed for his high salary, after 55 years experience in the particular field in which he is considered a subject matter expert, Mo was asked to leave by not being told he was leaving because the budget could no longer afford him, but by being told he was no longer able to understood today’s workforce.
Elderly people (women and men age sixty-five or older) (Macionis, 2005), Have many obstacles to face as they grow older, many of these obstacles involve social inequality. Not only do the elderly have to learn to deal with many forms of Ageism (the stereotyping and prejudice against individuals or groups because of their age), some also have to deal with the fact that they do not have enough savings or pension benefits to be self supporting, for most people over sixty-five, the major source of income is social security (Macionis, 2005). This forces many elderly Americans back into the workforce to continue to earn money to support themselves and or spouses. Although many elderly Americans may choose to work into later stages of their life for personal satisfaction, some choose to continue work for lack of money, and may be discriminated against in the workforce by facing ageism. Once out of the workforce, the elderly population may also have to face poverty and elderly abuse.
Many elderly Americans decide to retire at around age sixty-five, and many have chosen to say in the labor force well beyond retirement age. A reason for this many be that better health now allows people who want to work, to stay in the labor force (Macionis, 2005). Aging Americans face considerable economic discrimination, especially in the workplace (Falk & Falk, 1997). For example, older workers are sometimes fired regardless of their job performance or passed over for promotions in favor of younger employees (Falk & Falk, 1997). I have seen first hand, a man named Mo, whom I currently work with, fired from a position because the budget no longer allowed for his high salary, after 55 years experience in the particular field in which he is considered a subject matter expert, Mo was asked to leave by not being told he was leaving because the budget could no longer afford him, but by being told he was no longer able to understood today’s workforce.
Bibliography: Dychtwald, Ph.d., Ken. Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled by the New Old. 1st ed. Vol. 1. New York: Yankelovich Partners, Inc, 1999. Falk, Ursula A., and Gerhard Falk. Ageism, the Aged, and Aging in America. 1st ed. Vol. 1. San Diego: Charles C Thomas, 1997. 35-39. Macionis, John J. Introduction to Socioloy. 10th ed. Vol. 1. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2005. 404-409. Sandell, Diane S., and Lois Hudson. Ending Elder Abuse. First ed. Vol. 1. Fort Bragg: QED P, 2000. 1-10