SOC 4810 with Jennifer Holland | Clemson University
Why has life expectancy increased? ** Answ** - The industrial revolution (inventions of
new things)
- Vaccinations & medical advancements
- Learning about hygiene, sterilization, how sickness is spread
- Food health (pasteurization)
Graying of the Globe ** Answ** people are living longer
- japan and italy have highest proportion of 65+
- US has a boxy shape with similar # of young & old
Graying of America ** Answ** - life expectancy decreased by 3 years since 2019 (COVID-
19, drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc) and (social media is isolating)
- Females increased from 48 to 81 and Males increased from 46 to 77
- Elderly make up 17% of population
- Birth rates are decreasing (1.6)
- 13 million more aged 65+ compared to 10 - 20 year olds (economists concerned about social
security)
- growth rate of 65+ increased 1000% from 1920 - 2020
An Aging Society ** Answ** - generational disputes between gen Z and boomers
- we now celebrate youth over age (people wish they were young again or stay young forever)
Power of Age ** Answ** - leaders tend to seem older than usual
- more elders go out to vote than young people
- have years of information to give to the younger generation
Burden of Age ** Answ** - so much money is spent on old people
- 45% of federal budget is to the elderly while 9% for children
, Ageism ** Answ** people tend to overlook the elderly
Aging across cultures - similarities ** Answ** wrinkles, gray, seen as wise
Aging across cultures - differences ** Answ** - US uses nursing homes, others rely on
family
- Other countries have elderly work longer
- Eastern cultures are friendlier to elders
Personal Views of Older Adults ** Answ** - there's old age and the others in nursing homes
- the quest for youth: look/dress younger
- OR contentment: accept and enjoy their youth
Aging ** Answ** progressive changes during adult years
4 types of aging ** Answ** - Chronological: over time ( _ but mentally _)
- Biological: physical changes to the body
- Psychological/Cognitive: brain
- Social: what's changing with life, family, friends
Gerontology ** Answ** - study of the human aging process from maturity to old age
- study of the elderly as a special population
Disengagement Theory ** Answ** - the period in late adulthood that marks a gradual
withdrawal from the world on
- easier to die if they don't have to worry about family/friends
- no longer a burden & retirement opens up jobs to young people
Activity Theory ** Answ** - theory of adjustment to aging that assumes older people are
happier if they remain active in some way, such as volunteering or developing a hobby
- if you cannot fill a role anymore, replace it with something else
Why has life expectancy increased? ** Answ** - The industrial revolution (inventions of
new things)
- Vaccinations & medical advancements
- Learning about hygiene, sterilization, how sickness is spread
- Food health (pasteurization)
Graying of the Globe ** Answ** people are living longer
- japan and italy have highest proportion of 65+
- US has a boxy shape with similar # of young & old
Graying of America ** Answ** - life expectancy decreased by 3 years since 2019 (COVID-
19, drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc) and (social media is isolating)
- Females increased from 48 to 81 and Males increased from 46 to 77
- Elderly make up 17% of population
- Birth rates are decreasing (1.6)
- 13 million more aged 65+ compared to 10 - 20 year olds (economists concerned about social
security)
- growth rate of 65+ increased 1000% from 1920 - 2020
An Aging Society ** Answ** - generational disputes between gen Z and boomers
- we now celebrate youth over age (people wish they were young again or stay young forever)
Power of Age ** Answ** - leaders tend to seem older than usual
- more elders go out to vote than young people
- have years of information to give to the younger generation
Burden of Age ** Answ** - so much money is spent on old people
- 45% of federal budget is to the elderly while 9% for children
, Ageism ** Answ** people tend to overlook the elderly
Aging across cultures - similarities ** Answ** wrinkles, gray, seen as wise
Aging across cultures - differences ** Answ** - US uses nursing homes, others rely on
family
- Other countries have elderly work longer
- Eastern cultures are friendlier to elders
Personal Views of Older Adults ** Answ** - there's old age and the others in nursing homes
- the quest for youth: look/dress younger
- OR contentment: accept and enjoy their youth
Aging ** Answ** progressive changes during adult years
4 types of aging ** Answ** - Chronological: over time ( _ but mentally _)
- Biological: physical changes to the body
- Psychological/Cognitive: brain
- Social: what's changing with life, family, friends
Gerontology ** Answ** - study of the human aging process from maturity to old age
- study of the elderly as a special population
Disengagement Theory ** Answ** - the period in late adulthood that marks a gradual
withdrawal from the world on
- easier to die if they don't have to worry about family/friends
- no longer a burden & retirement opens up jobs to young people
Activity Theory ** Answ** - theory of adjustment to aging that assumes older people are
happier if they remain active in some way, such as volunteering or developing a hobby
- if you cannot fill a role anymore, replace it with something else
