4.11 - Identities: Age
Variations in attitudes towards age across cultures and time
Age is not viewed the same way everywhere or at all times. It is often considered a social construct, meaning that societies shape how age is perceived and understood, influencing individual identity and behaviour.
How societal views shape age identity
- Cultural differences - Perceptions of age vary widely between societies. What is considered 'adult' or 'old' in one culture might differ significantly in another, affecting how individuals are treated and expected to behave.
- Historical changes - Over time, attitudes towards age have evolved. For instance, in the UK during the 1800s, children were often seen as small adults, expected to work as soon as they were able, unlike the modern view where childhood is associated with education and protection.
- Generational identity - People born around the same time and experiencing similar cultural or political events often identify with a specific generation, such as the '60s generation, which can form a key part of their social identity.
- Legal influences - Laws play a significant role in defining age-based roles. In the UK, for example, individuals must be at least 17 to obtain a driving licence, and those over 70 face more frequent renewals, reflecting societal assumptions about capability at different ages.
- Relative importance - Bradley (1997) suggests that age may be less central to identity compared to factors like class, gender, or ethnicity, as age is seen as a temporary state that changes over a lifetime.
Media representations of different age groups
The media both shapes and mirrors societal attitudes towards age, often presenting stereotyped images that can influence how different age groups are perceived and treated.
Stereotypes in media portrayals
- Older people - Research by Simon Biggs (1993) revealed that older individuals on television, particularly in sitcoms, are frequently depicted in limited, stereotyped roles such as being 'forceful', 'vague', or 'difficult', reinforcing negative perceptions.
- Gender disparities in ageing - Lambert (1984) noted that older men in media are often shown in authoritative positions, such as newsreaders, while older women are rarely portrayed with similar power or respect.
- Younger generations - Children are commonly presented as innocent and in need of protection, while teenagers in TV soaps are often shown as rebellious, engaging in risky behaviours like drug use, petty crime, or binge drinking, which can perpetuate narrow views of youth.
Marxist perspectives on age and capitalism
Marxist theorists argue that societal attitudes towards age are heavily influenced by the structures of capitalism, which prioritise economic productivity and often marginalise certain age groups.
Capitalism's impact on age perceptions
- Economic roles - Marxists view age groups through the lens of their role in the economy. Adults are defined as those of working age, contributing to production, while the elderly are often seen as past their productive years.
- Stigmatisation of old age - Phillipson (1982) contends that capitalism portrays the elderly as a burden on society due to their reduced earning and spending power, leading to old age becoming a stigmatised identity rather than a respected life stage.
Impacts of increasing life expectancy on attitudes to old age
The UK's population is ageing, with longer life expectancy altering family dynamics and societal views on ageing, prompting new perspectives on what it means to grow older.
Changing demographics and their effects
- Rising numbers of older people - According to Social Trends 41 (2011), the proportion of the UK population over 75 increased from 4.7% in 1971 to 7.8% by 2009, reflecting a significant demographic shift.
- Longer lifespans - Social Trends 33 (2003) reported that life expectancy in the UK rose between 1971 and 2001, from 69 to 75 years for men and from 75 to 80 years for women, contributing to an ageing society.
- Family structure changes - Giddens (1986) highlights that longer life expectancy means individuals are more likely to know their grandparents or even great-grandparents, extending family connections well beyond the time children leave home.
- Evolving views on ageing:
- Postmodernists like Featherstone and Hepworth (1993) suggest that attitudes towards old age are shifting.
- Magazines targeting older audiences often promote a 'youthful' image of ageing, showing older individuals enjoying active lifestyles, holidays, and fashion.
- Advances like cosmetic surgery allow people to mask signs of ageing, challenging traditional stereotypes.
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