Society: AgeingIssues and perspectives

Society: AgeingIssues and perspectives

Introduction 

There are more grey-haired people today than in the past. The demographic trends are that the world is experiencing low birth rates, but at the same time, greater longevity. People are growing to be old, and many others are also outliving their pension. In 1997, older adults who suffered road traffic pedestrian casualties at a rate of 21%. Today the figures have increased to 32%; it shows that many more older people are living amongst others in society (Quadagno, 2018). These are people aged 60 years and more. The growing number of older adults relies on the labor force that is already shrinking for assistance and support. It is estimated that 14% of the labor force will be lost in the next 50 years.

Section A

Q1: Current dilemmas in intergenerational exchange 

The baby-boomers are people who are aged between 58 and 70 years. They are the young, old population. Their generation experienced an increased women labor force participation and divorce. It was during their generation that more women began to take up employment (Zhou, 2012). They also experienced family breakdowns in divorce. They gave birth to fewer children than the generations that went before them. The generation completed child-bearing at a young age. They have also been succeeded by a generation who wants to build a family but only much later in life.

Presently, building a family is not the primary aim of the generation. They only make it later in life. As the turn 50s and 60s, the children tend to be much younger than the baby boomers children. The younger cohorts have had some experiences of their own (Liu, 2014). They have experienced difficulty buying a house or paying rent. They have embraced education in large numbers, but the state support for education is inadequate. They are at a higher risk of family breakdowns. These factorial experiences have required them to have continued support from their parents, who they otherwise should already be assisting or supporting.

Example 

For instance, the present generations in China seek University education abroad. They go to study in countries such as the UK, Australia, and the US, etc. The internationalization of education forces their parents to settle them overseas. It, in turn, makes it difficult for their adult children to provide support for their parents. Baby boomers find it challenging to take care of their parents because they also have children who need the same support from the same resources (Quadagno, 2018). In another instance, there is an increased divorce rate all over the world. First marriages end up in divorce 50% of the time. The figure increases to 75% in second marriages. These trends pose a threat to the security and well-being of the people who are ageing in these times. It has been noted that divorced fathers are far less likely to receive support from their already adult children. Besides, divorced people also lose spousal support and support of networks made possible through in-laws in old age. 

Discussion 

The unreliability of intergenerational upward support is daunting. The savings of the parents diminish as they try to help their children out. While there is an emphasis on self-sufficiency, it is a difficult task to achieve with the current socio-economic problems that exist globally. Old age has been commoditized as care centers are sprouting all over (Zhou, 2012). Modernization has contributed to several observations. The young people are better educated and upwardly mobile. Technically, they should be able to provide more support to their parents because of exposure to better education.

Modernization has also brought about the erosion of the traditionally high status that old people were accorded. Increased distances have separated generations one from another. There is a reduced generational contact and interaction (Liu, 2014). The new generations do not show intergenerational solidarity since they do not interact with their seniors anymore. Resultantly, filial piety and care have been undermined, which also threatens the well-being of old age.

Q2Positive models of ageing are sexist and ethnocentric

Before the emergence of a positive model, there used to be a deficit model that legitimized an early withdrawal of older workers from the labor force. By the 1990s, the positive model of ageing was already being popularized. The positive model of ageing required an older adult to be healthy, active, productive, and successful (Luo & Chui 2016). However, the positive models of ageing are not universally applicable. The positive models of ageing are highly associated with the white people denoting ethnocentricity. Other races cannot use it as they do not see it to be such a positive idea.

The new model of ageing does not allow an old person to understand that there are things that he can no longer do. Asia, for instance, allows told people to identify and stay away from jobs that could lead to illness and injuries. They do not have to be independent as their counterparts in Europe and North America. Cultural resources such as education, social networks, and status promote the beliefs (Carroll & Bartlett, 2015). Women are said to have more problems in old age than men. It brings about an issue of sexism. Events in a woman’s life establish the feminine ideal of old age. These are pregnancy and menopause, for instance.

Example 

In North America, old age is associated with dependency. In Asia, for instance, old age is regarded as a natural phenomenon. It is expected that people grow old and help out in ways than are monetary(Mendes, 2013). They are expected to give advice, wise counsels, and teach the young generation. That is not the case in North America and West Europe. They are expected to stay productive and independent, and anything short of that leads to abandonment since they are seen as a burden to the younger generations. On sexism, an instance would be that a decline in bodily functions is only prevalent among white women(Wray, 2007). It would also be true that Asians and others have a high prevalence of women who are engaged in the informal sector.

Discussion 

The positive model of ageing has been determined from the perspective of white people. It forces older adults to reinvent themselves and constructs a new identity for themselves. There is a generalized fear of aging, but its serious among the white people (Carroll & Bartlett, 2015). Ageing breeds illnesses, disability, and dependency, which the white people cannot handle well as they are more individualistic culturally.

The white people promote active ageing with ideal and values that mirror masculinity, heterosexuality, and the middle class. It shows that femininity and LGBTQ groups do not have a chance at old age (Suen, 2015). While feminism is determined by the reproductive cycle of women, masculinity is established in the occupational livelihood of the man. He has to be productive and in a paid employment framework. Ageing brings more problems to women than men. Women tend to have bodies that are deficient, burdensome, failing, and at-risk as they grow old and older. If they live longer, they are likely to outlive their husbands, and that will leave them in widowhood (Wray, 2007). Divorces and re-marriage barriers also make women live alone in old age days. Poverty has been feminized amongst the older population.

Section B 

1. Successful ageing

Successful ageing is when polder adults can be said to be productive and successful. Governments have formulated policies to help solve ageing problems. Leaders and policymakers are looking to tap and take advantage of the experience and motivation of the older workers. Older people are motivated to work to fight against the click. Social welfare and programs should be established so that the burdensomeness that is associated with old age is alleviated or minimized (Rozanova, 2010). Successful ageing involves remaining youthful for as long as one can, staying healthy, and actively participating in productive activities. It is also when an individual can serve as an anchor of family traditions as they also pray for fortunes for their children.

1. How successful ageing solves the problem of population ageing 

Social meanings of age are created and recreated as people interact, engage in negotiations and discourse. Old people usually try to make sense of their social world. The political and economic forces should ensure that there is more equality of resources distribution so that the old generation is not left out (Lamb, 2014). Logically, they should not be discriminated against because of their age, class, gender, and race. Growing older is not a smooth experience for everyone. There difference in how women and men understand ageing is also critical.

By identifying these differences, the social problems associated with olds could just be cured. Women and men tend to be subjects of gender disadvantages. But the disadvantages accumulate over time throughout their life so much so that it heavily affects an individual as he grows old. The activity theory should be used to perpetuate successful ageing for the masses (Kwok & Ku, 2016). Older people have needs just as young people also do. Understanding that the older adult needs are similar to the other, more youthful generations will help in finding a solution to the problems of population ageing. Withdrawal of old people should not be considered normal and natural. They should be given a chance to live the life that they would wish to in their old age.

Example 

For instance, governments could help solve ageing problems by increasing the retirement age so that people have more time to work and be productive rather than being retired when they can still contribute more to the economy. Society should embrace old age. Such people should also take part in democratic elections so that they can actively participate to the nation and leave theory legacy (Boudiny, 2013). For instance, President Trump sought office later in his life. He is past 70 years old and still making a considerable contribution to his country. His predecessor, President Obama, retired at age 55 and must still be given a chance to service in another respectful and dignified capacity internationally.

Discussion 

The older adults must continue engaging in activities as though they were middle-aged. They should find a substitute for work so that their old age does not have to be dependent on others who only view them as an inconvenience (Moody, 2018). The older generations should engage in exercises that help their bodies be in shape. There should be a satisfying personal relationship between ages. Critically, a positive relationship will help to solve the problems of population ageing. People return to the old ways of revering old folks as in the past. Today, no one looks up to the old people and they are judged according to their life achievements. It brings problems that could be solved by showing them a little more reverences by their age.

The older adults should engage in economic activities that drive them to independence. Society would view them from a different perspective. Rationally, they would be seen as successfully ageing, and that is a recipe for solving all population problems of the old people. There is a need to determine the factors that contribute to successful ageing. The media also plays a huge role in demonstrating successful ageing (Phillipson, 2013). Mass media must address and understand ageing. Subsequently, they are supposed to convey the meanings of ageing as experienced by different generations.

Analytically, the world has developed stereotypes about how successful aging looks like. An individual should take up successful ageing as their chosen path so that they are productive in old age Rozanova (2010). Choosing to age successfully will also help to solve the problems associated with population ageing. It is not a good idea to condemn those who aged unsuccessfully to take individual responsibility. Instead, they should be allowed to contribute to society how best they can rather than being secluded from mainstream society. It is critical to understand that successful ageing also includes staying engaged deep into the sunset years.

Conclusion

The demographic trends are that the world is experiencing low birth rates, but at the same time, greater longevity. People are growing to be old, and many others are also outliving their pension. The positive models of ageing are not universally applicable. The positive models of ageing are highly associated with the white people denoting ethnocentricity and sexism as portrayed on white women. The activity theory should be used to perpetuate successful ageing for the masses. Older people have needs just as young people also do. Mass media are supposed to convey the meanings of ageing as experienced by different generations.

References

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Carroll, M., & Bartlett, H. (2015). Ageing well across cultures. Routledge Handbook of Cultural Gerontology, 285-292.

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Suen, Y. T. (2015). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ageing. Routledge handbook of cultural gerontology, 226-233.

Wray, S. (2007). Women making sense of midlife: Ethnic and cultural diversity. Journal of aging studies, 21(1), 31-42.

Zhou, Y. R. (2012). Space, time, and self: Rethinking aging in the contexts of immigration and transnationalism. Journal of Aging Studies, 26(3), 232-242.