PSYC 2618

1
PSYC 2618

• Gender and older adulthood

2
Gender, Aging and the Media

• In the study by Markson and Taylor (1993), there
  were more men (over 39 years old) than women as
  recipients of Academy Awards. Between 1927 and
  1990, 27 of female recipients were over the age
  of 39 while 67 of male recipients were over the
  age of 39.

3

• North Americans have a negative view on aging.
• Some theorists propose a double standard of aging
  where aging men look more mature and wise but
  aging women are unattractive, ie., Canetto et
  al., (1995) and Kite et al., (1991)

4

• Hummert et al, (1997) had subjects place pictures
  of elderly men and women next to descriptive
  words. Most subjects identified more positive
  attributes for men.

5
Aging, Gender and relationships

• In the research of Cowan (1984), subjects were
  pessimistic about the prospects of a marriage
  when a woman was older than the man.

6
Aging, the loss of relationships and widowhood

• Women tend to outlive men.
• Most studies find that widowers have an advantage
  over widows in their practical resources income,
  education, fewer health restrictions. They are
  more likely to remarry.
• Widows have more interpersonal resources.

7

• Widowers are more likely to be depressed, and
  feel lonely.
• Empty-nest syndrome.
• Sandwich generation

8
Cross-cultural views

• In many cultures, a womans power increases with
  age.
• In cultures where elderly women have a positive
  status, there is less memory decline.

9
Retirement

• Most research suggests that women retire earlier
  than men.
• Euro-A women retire early to take care of a
  husband while African-A women are less likely to
  retire for this reason.
• Women are less likely to seek information about
  retirement benefits before they retire. Women
  have more problems adjusting than men.

10
Cont. retirement

• Women generally have lower income during
  retirement than men because
• No compensation for the unpaid work at home.
• More likely to take early retirement.
• With lower salaries, less to put into retirement.
• Women live longer. They have more illnesses.

11
Physical illness and changes

• Men are more likely to die from
• heart disease
• cancer,
• lung disease,
• pneumonia and flu
• liver disease

12

• Women are more likely to die from
• strokes,
• diabetes
• breast cancer
• Men abuse drugs more often than women.
• Women are more likely to be treated with drugs
  for mental/emotional problems.

13
Physical issues for elderly women

• Menopause
• The time when the menstrual cycle stops.
• Physical symptoms
• hot flashes
• osteoporosis
• headaches
• fatigue
• Treat with Hormone Replacement Therapy

14

• Psychological symptoms
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Attitude toward menopause