The Concept of Old Age, Its Stereotypes and the Social Institutions - Essay Example

? The Concept of Old Age, Its Stereotypes and the Social s Outline Introduction Understanding Stereotypes and the Society The Concept of Old Age, Its Stereotypes and the Social Institutions Conclusion Introduction Stereotypes perpetuated through social institutions have an immense impact on society’s perception of age as well as people’s experience in old age. Stereotype is basically the pre – existing image that people have over a particular group of individuals. It may be positive attribution to a group even though most of the time, it is negative. In the process of stereotyping, people tend to overgeneralize. Nevertheless, in the manner of how people perceive others, stereotypes do influence how people would behave or interact with a particular individual or group. On the one hand, stereotypes are parts of society. In fact, stereotypes are preserved and maintained through different institutions such as the church, government, economy, media, as well as family. This is because how the social institutions create, promote or strengthen such stereotypes is causing a great influence on the people’s manner of perceiving an issue. Each life stage is accompanied by stereotypes. How people perceive age is also something that is stereotypical in so many ways just like how the society perceives old age. Old age is stereotyped of being ill, useless, unattractive, declining in mental capacity, poverty as well as depression (Bodurolgu, Yoon, Luo and Park, 2006). Nevertheless, these stereotypes have a role to play in our society because they are indeed powerful. Its power is signalling the fact that people are deviating from what is expected or what is considered normal in a particular society. Stereotypes may be degrading but it is a function of social control. In the way of how social institutions perpetuate stereotypes, the society will be in order. Given this, this paper will critically analyze the relationship of stereotypes of old age and social institutions. Understanding the relationship between stereotypes of old age and social institutions is relevant for the reason that it gives meaning and comprehension to the taken for granted realities. Understanding Stereotypes and the Society Stereotype, an image associated to a specific group of individuals, is part of our society. According to Ford and Stangor (1992), the process of forming stereotypes is that most of the time, people make extreme feature of a particular group and assess the judgement on the rest of its group members. After the formation of such stereotype, Linville, Fischer and Salovey (1989) claimed that people tend to perceive members of a particular group limited within – group variability. It is the case that stereotypes are standardized and homogenized perception of individuals that is grounded on some previous assumptions. Every so often, the function of stereotypes is that it works as the initial and main grounds for gauging a particular group and its members (Kunda and Sherman – Williams, 1993). That is to say, the established judgements based on stereotypes are created hastily (Macrae, Bodehausen and Milne, 1995). Different theories explain how stereotypes are formed as well as its roles and effects on the society. According to Tajfel and Turner (1979), the social identity theory is an approach which expects how a particular group behaves based on the perceived status, acceptability as well as permeability of environment. Hogg and Vaughan (2002) defined social identity as a part of the self – concept of an individual which was stemmed from the distinguished membership or belongingness in one’s social group. Even though it is the case that some researchers regard social identity theory as generalizing and oversimplifying about the human selves (Haslam, Ellemers, Reicher, Reynolds and Schmitt, 2010), this approach is not aimed to be an all – purpose and broad – spectrum approach to social categorization (Turner and Reynolds, 2010). On the one hand, according to Oakes, Haslam and Turner (1994), the theory of social categorization is an approach that considers the self as the main characteristic when sorting people into groups. People tend to see the groups in which they belong as distinct from the groups in which they do not fit in. It suggests that the salience of social identity is dependent on context. Regardless of the context, the salience of identity is dependent on specific comparisons of social groups, the groups in which they belong and the group that they do not feel a sense of belongingness. The approach claims that in the event when a specific social group happens to be noticeable or striking to an individual, the seeming homogeneity in the in - group or the group that an individual belongs intensifies, so self – stereotyping takes place. The comparative context seeing the self as the key element does affect how people assess particular groups of individuals. Depending on the social context, how they see the group in which they fit in can alter on the basis of their judgment of the other group. Generally, it is an approach which proposes that how an individual perceives (social perception) and how they interact with the other (social interaction) is a result of the process of categorizing the group where individuals feel a sense of belongingness, membership and identity from the other group. Furthermore, the manner of stereotyping due to social comparison can impact an individual or group of individual positively or negatively depending on the images that are attributed to them. A relationship between social identity and self – esteem is observed by Hogg and Abrams (1990). For positive images, of course, it is expected that such stereotypes can boost their self – esteem whereas those who are stereotyped with negative images are causing themselves to have lower self – esteem (Hogg and Abrams, 1990). In this manner, the threatened self – esteem stimulates intergroup discrimination. Meanwhile, the concept of self – fulfilling prophecy is also related to the phenomenon of stereotype. The term is first conceptualized by Merton (1948) as a false definition that influences and induces a new behavior that in effect, happens to make the originally false conception to be true. He believed that these false expectations can be true in the manner of changing their behaviors to satisfy the initial expectations. It is the case that the expectations of person over the other’s behavior become a more tolerable and acceptable prediction because it is having been made (Rosenthal and Jacobsen, 1968). According to Snyder and Swann (1982), the principle is that individuals will turn out to be who they are thought to be for the reason that their behavior will mirror the cross – situational consistency as well as time – based stability which define the characteristics of personality traits. In relation to stereotypes, the generalization or expectations that individuals put over the others can be part of their self – identity as a consequence of self – fulfilling prophecy. The process of stereotyping or generalizing demonstrates the prejudice or bias that individuals have. The abovementioned approaches illustrate the bias to one’s in – group over the out – group. In some cases, the manner of stereotyping even leads to discrimination. Given the biased attitudes that individuals have towards the group in which they belong, the groups in which they do not fit it may be stereotyped negatively or positively in the context of social comparison. Prejudice is expressed because of one’s social identity. Such stereotypical manner leads to discrimination especially when the stereotypes attributed to them are negative and can even damage their lives because of its negative impacts. Discriminating a person or group can be a result of stereotyped beliefs as well as one’s prejudice. According to Rokeache (1968), discrimination is an outcome of the perceived differences between groups. The Concept of Old Age, Its Stereotypes and the Social Institutions Age, as an aspect of an individual, is not free from any stereotype. In fact, there are stereotypes that are age – related. That is to say, the concept of old age is stereotyped as well. After defining the notion of stereotype, and discussing the approaches that can possibly explain the concept, as well as its related ideas, this section of the paper aims to discuss the stereotypes attributed to old age. The concept of old age is generally and simultaneously associated with both positive and negative features (Boduroglu, Yoon, Luo and Park, 2006). In fact, a wide array of literature proposes the different stereotypes associated with the concept of old age (Brewer, Dull, Lui, 1981; Heckhausen, Dixon, Baltes, 1989; Hummert, 1990). However, Kite, Stockdale and Johnson (2005) suggested that the stereotypes associated to old adults are grated much more negative than those of the young adults. In a Schmidt and Boland’s (1989) study, they claimed that only a third of the 99 attributes were positively attributed to old age and those positively attributed traits were on their being good grandparents. In terms of the negative association, aging is attributed with images such as illness, unattractiveness, uselessness, decline in mental capacity, poverty and so as depression (Boduroglu, Yoon, Luo and Park, 2006). Nonetheless, the stereotypes associated to old age are not limited on these alone. In fact, different social institutions like the government, church, workplace, media, family and others have pre – existing images associated to old adults. Old Age and the Workplace The stereotypes on age are one among the major impediments to equal access to the workplace among older workers (Gosling, 2011). One of the primarily hindrance of old individuals lies in their stereotyped capacity. Gray and McGregor (2003) classified four prevalent stereotypes among old workers in their study on human resource development and older workers in New Zealand. According to them, older workers are stereotyped as not wanting to learn, not able to learn, having difficulty in learning the new technology as well as that not providing a satisfactory output in work. In 2007, Maurer’s discussion of the issues related to training the aging workforce includes motivation as a significant observed hindrance since they have more negative perceptions on their learning ability. The Australia’s Business, Work, and Ageing Centre for Research claimed that the common stereotypes on older workers are that they are costly and tend to suffer from declining productivity in the workplace (cited by Foster, 2008). The old age individuals are seen to also reduce their intellectual and cognitive abilities. They are also categorized as individuals lacking in adaptability as well as flexibility especially in the technological development. Since aging is attributed with diminishing quality in health, they are stereotyped as having higher levels of absenteeism. The aged workers are perceived as well as those who are not appropriate in the dynamic and fast – paced culture of business environments (Australia’s Business, Work, and Ageing Centre for Research as cited by Foster, 2008). Generally, it can be seen that the stereotypes on old age are due to the perceptions on old adults of having reduced productivity compared to the young adults in the workplace. In this regard, those who would like to apply for work at an old age may not be accepted due to discrimination. Since old age is stereotyped of their reduced productivity, flexibility, adaptability, intellectual skills, and others, older individuals are discriminated to work when they reach the age of 65. At the age of 65, a person retires or completely stops from working in America (Gruber and Wise, 1999). In the event of retirement, retired employees are entitled to receive pensions. It is the case that even if they can still work efficiently, the stereotyped characteristics attributed to the concept of old age affects the views on their capacity. Instead of relying on these old workers, they are discouraged to work but are just entitled for pension. The cost of age – related stereotypes is their old workers’ jobs. Being old makes them discriminated at work. For some, such phenomenon of retirement and receiving pension instead of working can be positive or even negative depending on how one views it. Nevertheless, how the old age is perceived negatively like that of reduced productivity, flexibility, adaptability, intellectual skills and the like may cause their self – esteems to be reduced. Old Age and the Media The media has different tools such as print, internet, radio, as well as television. The media as a social institution is such a powerful influence to the society for the reason that it aims to reach a large audience in spreading information. However, because of its power on society, the institution of media is undeniably a strong influence on how people would perceive a person or an event. Consequently, the media is a strong tool of communication that affects the views of people. Nevertheless, the media is a strong means of communication which perpetuate the stereotypes in the society. According to Dahmen and Cozma (2009), how the mass media portrays the older people affects the viewers’ explicit as well as implicit attitudes and viewpoints on older people. It is apparent how obsessed the media is with the youth for it always put the older Americans at cost (Dahmen and Cozma, 2009). An illustration of this is the advertisement of Olay in their variants of wrinkle free and age – defying. The variant of the brand itself and its commercial inform the public that aging is a concern of being unattractive. In analyzing such taken for granted reality, such TV advertisements can be understood as stereotyping the old age as unattractive. Meanwhile, the medium of television, on the large part, focus on those people whose ages are between 18 to 49 years old. However, the older people are watching television more than the average viewer. Though this is the case, the old aged individuals are not represented or that they are misrepresented in the media (Dahmen and Cozma, 2009). Dahmen and Cozma (2009) claimed that the effects of the invisibility of the older characters in the portrayals in the media are damaging for the reason that they are not represented. Those under – represented in the world of television are unavoidably the most stereotyped as well as limited. The portrayals of the old roles are vanishing. That is to say, people’s importance in the world of media is overlooked. Aside from being under – represented, the old aged individuals are misrepresented as well. How the media characterizes the old individuals is often persons who are absent – minded, comical, irrational or out of reality. When the old aged individuals are represented, they are used to be mocked and humiliated. It is the case that movies and television shows are making fun out of the old age as the media associates it with reasoning incapability, slow movement, and others. Being old age is a non – standard for the media does not represent or that the media misrepresents the old age. It is evident how the media extends the stereotypes associated to the old age. The media as a strong tool of communication greatly impacts the society’s perception of age. Because the media shapes the people’s perception, such images attributed to the old individuals are reinforced. Old Age and the Family The institution of family also takes part on the reinforcement of such stereotypes associated with old age. Aside from the stereotypes connected to aging, the old individuals are also stereotyped as having their second childhood (Arluke and Levin, 1984). Indeed, such second childhood stereotype attributed on old age is a damaging stereotype. Aside from that, infantilization is also attributed to them (Arluke and Levin, 1984). Though aging is responsible for people’s reduced health quality, the old age is reduced to a status of a child, from infants to adolescents. This is for the reason that childhood is associated with lack of physical, intellectual as well as moral maturity. Such stereotype also promotes the image of old age as irresponsible and immature. Overall, such stereotypes of second childhood and infantilization are associated on them because at some points in the life stage of an old individual, he or she must have to depend on the other for survival. This instance of labeling and stereotyping the old age as such is in fact, degrading causing this group to have lower self – esteem. They are dehumanized in such stereotypical ways. Meanwhile, because of the stereotypes associated to the old age, they are discriminated. This is evident in the instance of elder abuse. According to Dahmen and Cozma (2009), there is about 1 to 3 million Americans aged 65 or older who have been mistreated and exploited by somebody else who should be taking care of them. Such abuse occurs in different forms including the sexual, financial, emotional, physical, and psychological abuse. Some are even abandoned because of being old. On the other hand, the retirement home, which sometimes is called the old people’s home, is also a stereotype of the old age. This is because such facility is catering for the needs of the senior citizens Conclusion Stereotypes are indeed parts of the society. In the evaluation of the relationship between social institutions and stereotypes, it is evident that the social institutions such as the workforce, media and family are perpetuating the stereotypes of the old age in the society. This is because the social institutions reinforce the stereotypes as well. The social institutions shape the people’s perception on aging. While the stereotypical attributions on old age is degrading and lowering the self – esteem of some specific group of people, the stereotypes do function a specific role for the society as a whole. That is for social order. The stereotypes, especially the negative ones, are reminders that a particular group is deviating from the normative standards imposed by the society. The stereotypes are indeed a function of social control. Furthermore, it is the case that the social institutions themselves sometimes create such stereotypes and don’t just serve as perpetuators of those. This is because different social institutions are protecting themselves from social disorder. Stereotypes are powerful means for controlling the society. For example, old age is discouraged to work because of the stereotypes of reduced productivity, flexibility and adaptability. Such images are not beneficial to the workforce. On the other hand, the media under – represents or misrepresents the old age through a number of stereotypical manner. Though reinforcing the stereotypes, it can impact the old individuals in a number of ways such as perceiving themselves as such images, behave on how the media portrays the old age, or feel degraded causing them to have lower self – esteem. Meanwhile, the family reinforces such stereotypes because it aims to remind the ideals of family. Through the elderly abuse and retirement home, it is the case that the institution of family may be deviating from the normative standards. The family is supposed to be a strong unit of the society. 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