Age and Identity

Youth

• Clarke (1976) believes youth to be based around the concepts of rebellion and resistance.
• Youth is often associated with new styles and subcultures (e.g. chavs or punks).
• Postmodernists link youth with ‘pick and mix’ culture.

Middle Age

• Between young adulthood and old age. 
• As there are no legal boundaries around middle age, it can be seen as a state of mind.
• Associated with the age at which the children are leaving home.
• Bradley (1996) claims it brings a higher status than youth or old age.

Old Age

Victor (2005) described old age as being characterised by:

• Loneliness
• Unable to learn
• Poor health
• Dependence on others

Laslett (1991)

Rejects the categories we have just looked at. He instead suggests:

• First Age – The period of socialisation
• Second Age – Phase of work and childrearing
• Third Age – Stage of independence

(1) Religion

Religion in Britain is declining, old people attach more importance to it than young people 

(2) Media Representations

• Youth = deviant and troublesome
• Middle Age = Crisis
• Old Age = Dependency and loneliness

These representations have a big impact on popular culture. 

Thornton (1996) argues that they are particularly influential in shaping youth identities.

(3) The Workplace

• Retirement can be seen as the site that influences people’s age identity.
• Similarly, the minimum wage for 18-year-olds creates a sense of being an adult.
• The workplace is certainly the area in which age discrimination occurs most.