Is age becoming irrelevant? An exploratory study of perceived age norms.
To check on impressionistic assertions that the United States is becoming an "age-irrelevant society," a quota sample of white-collar and blue-collar men and women (ages eighteen to seventy; N = 462) was studied with a questionnaire that asked for designation of the most suitable ages for various role transitions and age-related attributes. The findings converged with pertinent recent reports from more representative samples. Comparisons with findings in the 1950s indicated loosening of the norms, but with continuing adherence to a prescriptive timetable and with persistent socio-economic differences. These results challenge the notion of age-irrelevance.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012380:Role; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012938:Social Perception; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States