Preview

Symbolic Interactionist View Of Elderly

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
158 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Symbolic Interactionist View Of Elderly
Every society must deal with the problem of people growing old and of some becoming frail. Although few societies choose to bury elderly alive, all societies must figure out how to distribute limited resources among their citizens. With more people around the world constantly making it to old age, these decisions are producing problems between the generations on a global level. The perception of elderly is constantly changing and there are many theries that explain why. The first is the symbolic interactionist perspective theory. It explains ageism which is the prejudice and discrimination directed against people because of their age. Anoither is the disengagement theory which is the the view that society is stabilized by having the elderly

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    This is the first formal theory of aging and it was brought forward by Elaine Cumming and William Henry in 1961, and they looked at how society views older people. During their research they found that older people disengaged from society. They argue that older personnel withdraw from society, for example they stop working/retirement, they stop socialising, they feel that they are no longer needed by wider society, for example they younger generation, the wider society does not include family and friends, and that age is a number that represents what we can and cannot do. On reflection we can see that this view is flawed because it is very dated and does not show a true picture of today’s society and views. Also this view is the total opposite of the newer activity theory.…

    • 2500 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The title of the article is “ Fighting Ageism”. The article was written by: Melissa Dittmann and the article is published in May of 2003. The main topic of the article is about the effects of ageism. The article uses a survey of people above the age of 60 and the response was that 80% of the people that were interviewed experienced ageism. The article also points out how the elderly can be affected negatively by rude comments or not being chosen because of their age. The psychologists say that elderly people can increase the number of years that they live by 7.5 years if they do not receive any ageist remarks. Psychologists also handle people who are ageist the same way in which the handle people who are racist.…

    • 212 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gerontology and Older People

    • 3789 Words
    • 16 Pages

    nt brief | |Student: | |BTEC |(Print Name) | | | | |Assessment Front Sheet |Sign: | | | |BTEC National Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care | | | |Unit 4: Development through the life stages | | | |Tick this box to confirm that all work has been proof read | |Date Assignment Given: |Hand in Date: |Date Submitted: |Unit Leader: | |w/c 6.2.12 | |(If different) |Ad McLaughlin | | | | | |…

    • 3789 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Relationship Case Study

    • 745 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This paper takes a look at three things. First how stereotypes about the elderly are pervelant in society, second, it discusses the physical and cognitive issues in aging. and finally it discusses the mental health treatment that are available for older adults.…

    • 745 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eth 125 Week 8

    • 1869 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Ageism is the discrimination and prejudice of an individual, most particularly senior citizens. Social norms marginalize senior citizens by treating them with disrepect, making them feel unwelcomed, and generalizing them as if they are all the same. Although society regards senior citizens as slow and full of health issues, they are actually mentally and physically fit. The elderly also present and contribute a lot to the same society that outcasts them. Adolescents also experience ageism as they are constantly told they are too young or not educated enough to do certain things. This causes the diversity of society where your either too old or too young. in society nobody is ever the perfect age. Ageism is a negative impact on people as it robs them of their indepence, sense of choice, and dignity.…

    • 1869 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Esther

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages

    During the ageing process, the elderly may take different approaches to aging and may apply to different theories of aging such as disengagement theory and the activity theory. All elderly individuals will deal with aging in different ways. They may wish to stay active or they may wish to disengage themselves due to depression or they may be unable to deal with the processes of becoming older.…

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The social theories explain how certain people age well. There are three main theories that explain successful ages in older life which are as follows: Activity theory, the social clock theory, and the disengagement.…

    • 216 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ageism can be defined as a stereotypical form of negative verbal, physical, or emotional attitude and/or harassment of a cohort of people commonly referred to as “old people”. Throughout society, ageism exists in many different ways. In these various ways of existence, ageism impacts every individual at one point in their life. By reviewing 4 separate research papers, this paper will present the various ways ageism exists in society, how it differs in each society, and how efforts can be done to reduce ageism.…

    • 298 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Ageism is defined as prejudice and discrimination against old people. Schafer writes that for the ageist, elderly persons reflect the image of disease, death, and dying as well as a reminder that we all be old one day (2012,pp. 395-396). Another stereotype of the elderly is that they are slow and mentally dysfunctional. All of this is further emphasized by society’s fixation with youth.…

    • 1365 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this chapter is being discussed the different roles that are carried out by elderly in different cultures and different periods of times. As a member of a society grows older, he or she usually changes roles or occupations. The acceptable roles for elders differ in each society. Some cultures utilize their elderly in many ways, while others just a few.…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    which illustrates co-operation of the elderly individual in the process of disengagement between them and society…

    • 1486 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Activity 1 2

    • 1294 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Society plays a big part of this theory as it contributes to the behaviour portrayed towards the elderly. The younger generation may look down the elderly, which has a major influence on the idea of society having adverse expectations and behaviours of the elderly due to the degrading health and disabilities. Instead, Cumming and Henry suggest that older people will prefer passive, solitary activities, and will be willingly give up traditional or normal ways of behaviour. Disengagement is socially constructed and a product of our cultural beliefs about the nature of ageing. What we define as being disengaged may, from the point of view of the elderly, be very engaged are spending time with grandchildren, travelling, volunteering, or even playing bingo passive and empty ways to spend time, or ways of engaging with others around common activities. This can lead to negative emotional development as a senior may feel that they are no longer have any value to roles in society because gradually, the power of older people will decrease and will be overtaken by the younger generation, which can lead to depression and isolation.…

    • 1294 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Aging is portrayed as a time of manifestation, rest and an opportunity to do things that one was unable to do during their vigorous years due to occupations and family responsibilities. For example, the elderly experience a loss of financial wealth, control of their own lives such as disabilities in comparison to hearing, loss of sight or any other physical abilities. These issues lead to negativity, depression or anxiety and how social society perceive the elderly. These elderly misconceptions or stereotypes are glimpse as feeble, greedy, cranky, and acting like children. Variety of people depict the elderly as useless and helpless victims that are unproductive. These misinterpretations are often taken for granted and displayed in the media…

    • 171 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In most societies, older people are generally viewed as a group of with common characteristics and needs. Older age is usually viewed as a state, a stage or an event. In reality, older people are not a homogenous group, but rather highly diverse individuals. The factor that is common to all older people is the accumulation of more numerous life experiences over a greater period of time than those of younger people (Bowling & Dieppe, 2005). Aging is defined as the process of becoming older, a process that is genetically…

    • 1672 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    It is important to understand how roles and perspectives have changed over time. The alterations can be an effect caused by societal and economical developments. Understanding the evolution of roles and perspectives provides a clearer picture on how aging may affect you in the future. In this report we will focuses on aging population from World War II to present day. I will describe the changing role of older adults, and describes the differences in perspectives on aging in America. I also will explain each cause of the changes in the role and perspectives of the aging population.…

    • 1344 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays