Age and Identity 1

Age and Identity 1

1. Featherstone and Hepworth 2005

   • Argue that media images of ageing which have been a source of negative stereotypes and identities can also create new identities and suggests as the population ages, more positive images may emerge.
   • Says that the popularity of 'retro' fashions and comeback tours from bands from the 1970s/1980s are also trends that help blur the boundaries of the life course.

2. Theory - Postmodernism

   • Postmodernists would say that age is fluid & becoming less significant in today's society.
   • They look at trend such as people living/working longer and anti-ageing products/plastic surgery procedures which bring about an 'extension' of youth.

3. Corner 1999 - Old Age

   • He was mostly negative, reflecting that used by the media and popular culture.
     • Participants described the problems of old age for society and the 'burden' of the ageing population. They were concerned that they would become a 'burden' themselves and the stereotype they presented was of later life being a time of ill-health and dependency.

4. Young Adulthood & Middle Age

   • Young adulthood is characterised by career & family. Most people form relationships, have children and get a job during this time and become more independent.
   • Bradley 1996
     • Argues middle age has a higher status than youth or old age - middle aged people are running the country and hold work power.
     • Middle age is seen as a negative time as youth is 'lost' and old age creeps in. Often associated with negative ideas such as 'mid-life crisis' and 'empty nest syndrome.'

5. What is age identity?

   • Sometimes looked at chronologically or looked at as a stage in the life course: CHILDHOOD, YOUTH, ADULTHOOD, OLD AGE.
     • Problems with looking at the life course stages is that the ages at which they start and end can be seen as SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED.

6. Postman 1982 - Childhood

   • Argued that childhood came around when the spread of literacy enabled adults to better shield children from various aspects of adult life. Children are growing up quicker due to aspects of sexuality and horrors to do with death/disease which creates an 'innocent' child.
   • He says that the spread of media and visual culture in the 20th century has brought a decline in childhood and threatens to bring about its disappearance.