What is social gerontology, and how is it related to the broader field of gerontology?
Gerontology is the study of the biological, psychological,
and social aspects of aging. Social
gerontology is a subfield of gerontology that focuses
on the social as opposed to the physical or
biological aspects of aging.
How is old age defined, and what difference
does the definition make? There is no
single agreed-upon way to define aging and old
age. The most commonly used definition in the
United States is chronological age, but there are
many other ways to determine when someone is
considered old. These include taking on a social
role such as widow or retiree, functional age, or
subjective age identity. The definition that is
most useful depends on the purpose. For example,
chronological age is often used for defining
eligibility for a benefit, such as Social Security,
but functional age may be a more useful way to
determine who is best suited to perform certain
activities.
What is a cohort, and why are social
gerontologists interested in cohorts? A cohort
is a group of individuals who have experienced
the same event in the same time period.
The most common way to define cohorts is by
year of birth. Cohorts are shaped by historical
events, by their size and composition, and by
changes that occur in the social institutions
around them. Age changes occur in individuals
over time; age differences are ways one cohort
differs from another. The concept of a cohort is
useful for distinguishing age changes from age
differences.
What is the life course framework, and
how is it useful to gerontologists? The life
course framework is an approach to the study of
aging that focuses on the interaction between
historical events, personal decisions, individual
opportunities, and later life outcomes. It combines
a concern with individual aging with an
awareness of changing age structures. The two
core concepts of life course research are transitions
and trajectories.
What is ageism, and how is it perpetuated?
Ageism is defined as stereotyping and discrimination
against people on the basis of age.
Stereotypes are a composite of attitudes and beliefs
about people as a group. When people act
on the basis of these beliefs, they are guilty of
age discrimination. Ageism can take many
forms. The form ageism takes differs by gender,
because there is a double standard concerning
aging, whereby men are valued by their accomplishments
and women by their appearance. Because
of this double standard, women are more
likely than men to attempt to conceal their age.
