Social Construction Of Ageism

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For sociologists, age is a new found interest. Age is a socially constructed idea which varies though time and cultures. Age manages to separate individuals into groupings. Like class, it has a variation of different values which are provided through stigmas. Age is capable of placing restrictions upon activities, abilities and age appropriate behaviours. Age is used as a basis for social relationships, but could also be seen as a basis for discrimination. The ideas of childhood and old age have changed drastically over time, however they are not identified with the same views in different geographical locations. In different cultures people have different ways of interoperating age and the idea of what childhood and old age are.

Ageism can be implemented upon each generation through negative stereo-types. It is found to effect people of all ages, ‘Ageism places limits, constraints and expectations at every stage from birth onwards’ ageism can be found within many aspects of society. (Jonson and Bytheway 1993)For example in the work environment, there is consistent completion for jobs between people of all ages, however people may be discriminated against because they are seen to be ‘too young’ to carry out the job in hand or in reverse they could labelled as being ‘too old’ for the job. Therefore, despite the skills, knowledge , experience or the qualifications the candidate may hold, their age can play a huge part in the mind of the employer. (Jonson and Bytheway 1993) However, older people are one of the age groups who tend to suffer more severely for the acts of ageism than any other age grouping. In North America, Eskimos survive in a hunting environment and are presented with environmental limitations, label a man as ‘old’ when he struggles to feed his family in the harsher weather. Within the culture of Eskimos, every family member must contribute their part to the common welfare of the family. However when a person becomes too old to work, they as elders are hugely respected within this culture. The words of the old is to be the final word. Older generations are treated similarly within the culture of Samoan Islanders, who believe that old age is to be a pleasant time of life. In contrast, the united states, an industrial society with the huge economic ability to support their generation of elderly people, thrives of independence and self-reliance. The united states define age chronologically, labelling anyone over sixty-five as being ‘old’ and they are expected to retire, despite their abilities. After the age of 65, life tends to become a period of