Chapter 8. Age, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality

I. Problems of Age:

Dependency Ratio: size group econ dep support rel to workers; 65 + / age 18-64.

a. Trend: From 7 in 1900 to 20 today to 40 in 2050

II. Problems of Young:

1. Econ exploit Child: in Africa, 1/3 children work; in Latin Am, about 15-20%

a. many beaten/abused,no adequate educ;>50% work long Hrs ,substandard wages

2.Debt bondage:for loan, parnts offer labor child;hi %,no pay off;e.g. India,Pakis

3. Fair Labor Standards Act 1938: outlaws employ child <16 in many settings

a. exception. farm laborers: ¼ of farm laborers in US may be under 16

4. Child Poverty:17% child US,1/3 black child, 1/2 black/Hisp child in 1-par fam

III. Problems of Elderly:

1.Mandatory Retire:elim mostly-amend (1986) age discrim in Employment Act.

Airline pilots, few occup, still mand ret. 65+;16% men, 8% fem work vs 65% men 1900.

2. Pov Rate elderly: 65+ 10.2% (2000), slightly below that for 18-64

a. trend: 35 years ago >25 percent;(@ 3 times higher non-elderly adults)

b. share wealth: elderly up from 26% 1960 to 43%

c. feminization of pov: ¾ of poor among elderly are female

3. Retirement benefits:1960 37% of nongov employees have, only 44%.in 1990s

4. Social Isolation/loneliness: 30% live alone 2000 vs. 18% 1960,yet no problem

a. class:study show 65+extensive contacts:<WC than MC, due to soc skill

5. Medicare costs: over $200 billion/yr(=$100/person US); 40% hosp beds 65+

a. > % fed Budget Medicare &soc sec: 20% 1970, 24% 1980, 34% 2000

6. Physical Limitation: experience by @ ½ 65+ due to chronic illness

7. Medical Cost Burden: Medicare/other program pay 63%, out-of-pocket 28%

8. Crime: 65+ disproportionately victims of property crime

9. Nursing Homes: only 5% live in; yet 40-60% will live eventually before die

10. pov lev contribution OADI: estab 1935; tax 15% for income <$72,600;

37% of all income to elderly; avg benefit level @ $16000 for retired worker + spouse.

IV. Homosexuality and Homophobia

1. Extent: 1-5% of male adult gay; Lesbian @ ½ as common

_2. Bio causes?: research last decade some evidence may be det, in part, genetic

_a. Evidence: MZ twins >likely gay than non-MZ twins or adopted bros

_b. No know what inherited:could be personal. char are molded into gay

3. view psychol maladjust: American Psychol Assoc classified mental disorder

_a. critique: studies no establish personality dif b/ homo /non-homo

_b. Robinson et al 1982:300 gays, rel w/par satisfac:2/3 w dad, ¾ w mom

_c. Classify withdrawn: no sci proof is psych malady/poor psychol adjust

4. Public attitudes: homo rel should be illegal: 42% yes 20001, same 25yrs ago

_a. Equal job rights for gays: 1977 only 56% support, 2001 85%

_b. OK Jobs:91% sales,78%docs,72%military,56%teach elem,54% clergy

5. Assault/violence:9-24% gays assaulted due to sex orient; ½-3/4 fear for safety

a. Most gay bashers: are young males

6. Homosex illegality?: @ ½ states had laws making consenting sex illegal;

sodomy seen “crime against nature;” Supreme Court overturn Texas case (2003)