Define chronological age .

Chronological age measures how long someone has lived , i.e. their age in years.

What do sociologists mean when they say age is socially constructed ?

Sociologists mean that society decides which behaviours, rights and responsibilities are appropriate at different ages, rather than biology alone .

True or False? Philippe Ariès argued that childhood has always been a protected stage of life.

False. Ariès (1962) argued that childhood did not exist before modern times; in medieval Europe, adults treated children from about age 7 as small adults .

Which laws helped to separate childhood from adulthood?

Laws on compulsory education and child labour bans created a clear separation between childhood and adulthood.

In modern societies, people associate ___________ with dependence, innocence and protection.

In modern societies, people associate childhood with dependence, innocence and protection.

Youth is the transition period between childhood and adulthood, when young people gain more independence but not full adult rights.

When did teenagers emerge as a social group?

Teenagers emerged as a social group in the 1950s , linked to rising education levels, consumer culture and media attention.

How can social class shape the experience of youth?

Social class can shape the experience of youth because working-class youth may enter work earlier , while middle-class youth often remain in education longer .

True or False? Adulthood begins with the same milestone in every culture.

False. In some cultures adulthood begins with marriage or initiation ceremonies , while in others it is linked to economic independence .

Why do many young adults in Britain now delay leaving home?

Rising housing costs and student debt mean that many young adults in Britain now delay leaving home and starting families.

How does the UK often view ageing?

The UK often views ageing negatively , linking old age with decline and dependence .

Many other cultures, such as the Akan of Ghana, value ___________ people for their wisdom and experience.

Many other cultures, such as the Akan of Ghana, value older people for their wisdom and experience.

How do norms of elder care differ across societies?

Norms of elder care differ because Western countries often rely on care homes , while other cultures expect families to care for elders at home .

True or False? Expectations about age stay fixed once a society sets them.

False. Age expectations evolve as society changes ; e.g. longer, healthier lives have given older adults new social roles , such as volunteering or returning to education.

Social age refers to how society views and treats people at different ages, including the rights and responsibilities it gives them.

What is biological age based on?

Biological age is based on physical changes linked to age , such as puberty and the menopause.

Ageism means treating someone unfairly because of their age , often based on stereotypes such as young people being lazy or older people being slow.

The ___________ 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone due to their age in work, services or education.

The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone due to their age in work, services or education.

True or False? Age UK found that age discrimination mainly affects older people.

False. Age UK (2011) found that 15-24-year-olds were among the groups most affected by age discrimination, as well as 50-64-year-olds .

Which young people does the term NEET describe?

NEET describes young people who are not in education, employment or training .

How does the National Living Wage disadvantage young workers?

The National Living Wage sets lower rates for younger workers (from April 2026, £10.85 an hour for 18 to 20-year-olds against £12.71 for those aged 21 and over), so they earn less for similar jobs .

Define boomerang generation .

The boomerang generation are young people who move back home with their parents, e.g. after university, because of financial pressures such as housing costs and student debt.

Which older people are most likely to have financial security ?

Older people with occupational pensions are most likely to enjoy financial security, while those relying on the state pension may face poverty.

Stuart Hall found that the media created a moral panic around ___________, especially targeting young Black men.

Stuart Hall found that the media created a moral panic around mugging , especially targeting young Black men.

Define sandwich generation .

The sandwich generation are people, mostly middle-aged women , who support both their children and their elderly parents .

How do Marxists explain age inequality?

Marxists argue that age inequality benefits capitalism : young people provide cheap labour , while older workers are undervalued or pushed into early retirement .

True or False? Functionalists argue that age differences are always dysfunctional.

False. Functionalists argue that age differences support social order , because each life stage has a role ; only too much inequality , such as skills wasted through ageism, becomes dysfunctional.

Why do feminists argue older women are more likely to be poor?

Feminists argue that older women often have smaller pensions because many worked part-time or took career breaks for childcare.

GCSESociologyWJEC EduqasFlashcardsSocial Differentiation and StratificationLife Chances & Power: Age

Life Chances & Power: Age (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Flashcards

Exam code: C200

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FrontAge as a Social Construction & Norms Across Societies
Define chronological age.

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Cards in this collection (28)

Define chronological age.
Chronological age measures how long someone has lived, i.e. their age in years.
What do sociologists mean when they say age is socially constructed?
Sociologists mean that society decides which behaviours, rights and responsibilities are appropriate at different ages, rather than biology alone.
True or False?
Philippe Ariès argued that childhood has always been a protected stage of life.
False.
Ariès (1962) argued that childhood did not exist before modern times; in medieval Europe, adults treated children from about age 7 as small adults.
Which laws helped to separate childhood from adulthood?
Laws on compulsory education and child labour bans created a clear separation between childhood and adulthood.
In modern societies, people associate ___________ with dependence, innocence and protection.
In modern societies, people associate childhood with dependence, innocence and protection.
Define youth.
Youth is the transition period between childhood and adulthood, when young people gain more independence but not full adult rights.
When did teenagers emerge as a social group?
Teenagers emerged as a social group in the 1950s, linked to rising education levels, consumer culture and media attention.
How can social class shape the experience of youth?
Social class can shape the experience of youth because working-class youth may enter work earlier, while middle-class youth often remain in education longer.
True or False?
Adulthood begins with the same milestone in every culture.
False.
In some cultures adulthood begins with marriage or initiation ceremonies, while in others it is linked to economic independence.
Why do many young adults in Britain now delay leaving home?
Rising housing costs and student debt mean that many young adults in Britain now delay leaving home and starting families.
How does the UK often view ageing?
The UK often views ageing negatively, linking old age with decline and dependence.
Many other cultures, such as the Akan of Ghana, value ___________ people for their wisdom and experience.
Many other cultures, such as the Akan of Ghana, value older people for their wisdom and experience.
How do norms of elder care differ across societies?
Norms of elder care differ because Western countries often rely on care homes, while other cultures expect families to care for elders at home.
True or False?
Expectations about age stay fixed once a society sets them.
False.
Age expectations evolve as society changes; e.g. longer, healthier lives have given older adults new social roles, such as volunteering or returning to education.
Define social age.
Social age refers to how society views and treats people at different ages, including the rights and responsibilities it gives them.
What is biological age based on?
Biological age is based on physical changes linked to age, such as puberty and the menopause.
Define ageism.
Ageism means treating someone unfairly because of their age, often based on stereotypes such as young people being lazy or older people being slow.
The ___________ 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone due to their age in work, services or education.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone due to their age in work, services or education.
True or False?
Age UK found that age discrimination mainly affects older people.
False.
Age UK (2011) found that 15-24-year-olds were among the groups most affected by age discrimination, as well as 50-64-year-olds.
Which young people does the term NEET describe?
NEET describes young people who are not in education, employment or training.
How does the National Living Wage disadvantage young workers?
The National Living Wage sets lower rates for younger workers (from April 2026, £10.85 an hour for 18 to 20-year-olds against £12.71 for those aged 21 and over), so they earn less for similar jobs.
Define boomerang generation.
The boomerang generation are young people who move back home with their parents, e.g. after university, because of financial pressures such as housing costs and student debt.
Which older people are most likely to have financial security?
Older people with occupational pensions are most likely to enjoy financial security, while those relying on the state pension may face poverty.
Stuart Hall found that the media created a moral panic around ___________, especially targeting young Black men.
Stuart Hall found that the media created a moral panic around mugging, especially targeting young Black men.
Define sandwich generation.
The sandwich generation are people, mostly middle-aged women, who support both their children and their elderly parents.
How do Marxists explain age inequality?
Marxists argue that age inequality benefits capitalism: young people provide cheap labour, while older workers are undervalued or pushed into early retirement.
True or False?
Functionalists argue that age differences are always dysfunctional.
False.
Functionalists argue that age differences support social order, because each life stage has a role; only too much inequality, such as skills wasted through ageism, becomes dysfunctional.
Why do feminists argue older women are more likely to be poor?
Feminists argue that older women often have smaller pensions because many worked part-time or took career breaks for childcare.

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