Age Stratification

Age Stratification refers to the hierarchical organization of individuals within a society based on age, where social roles, expectations, and privileges differ across age groups. This concept highlights how societies assign value and responsibilities to individuals at different stages of life, shaping access to resources, opportunities, and power. For example, younger individuals may be viewed as dependents, while older adults might hold positions of authority or experience age-related discrimination. Sociologists analyze age stratification to explore how cultural norms, economic systems, and institutional structures influence intergenerational dynamics and inequality. The theory of age stratification also examines how societal changes, such as increased life expectancy or shifting retirement norms, impact the status and roles of various age groups within a population.