Research Guides: Dimensions of Diversity: Age

What is Age

Definition from the Open Education Sociology Dictionary:

n. The number of years an individual has lived.

Definition from the American Psychological Association:

n. The amount of time that has passed since an organism's birth; that is, an individual’s chronological age.
n. A measure of physical or mental development (e.g., anatomical age, educational age, or reading age).
n. A specific period of human life (as in middle age, older adulthood).
v. To grow older.

Ageism (from the Social Work Dictionary):

Stereotyping and generalizing about people on the basis of their ages; comm

Why do social workers need to understand age-related issues?

Age can influence a person's physical, emotional, and cognitive development, as well as their societal roles and responsibilities. Social workers understand that age is not only a matter of numbers but also intersects with other aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, which can affect how individuals experience aging at different life stages. Age-related issues may vary across the lifespan, from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and older age, and may include concerns related to health, caregiving, employment, education, social services, and intergenerational relationships. Social workers are committed to promoting age equity, advocating for the rights and needs of individuals of all ages, and challenging ageism and stereotypes associated with age.

Readings on Age

The Encyclopedia of Social Work

Aging: Overview. Ferretti, L., & McCallion, P. (2022, March 23). Aging: Overview. In Encyclopedia of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.109
Age Justice Burghardt, S., Dibenedetto, J., & Sackman, B. (2022, March 23). Age Justice. Encyclopedia of Social Work.. In Encyclopedia of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1578
Aging: Practice Interventions. Kaye, L. (2022, February 24). Aging: Practice Interventions. In Encyclopedia of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.509

Additional Resources:

Ageing and Gender Preferences in Rural Indonesia. Kreager P, Schröder-Butterfill E. (2018). Ageing and Gender Preferences in Rural Indonesia. In T.W. Devasahayam Ed.), Gender and Ageing: Southeast Asian Perspectives (pp.150-173). Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Older adults' online activities and cognition: Investigating the psychological mechanisms and age and gender differences Wang, K., Chen, X.S., Kang S., Smith, B.D., Gu, D.(2024, July). Older adults' online activities and cognition: Investigating the psychological mechanisms and age and gender differences. Social science & medicine, 352.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116988.

Videos on Aging

The tech we need to fight workplace ageism

From exoskeletons and robotic arms to the mass adoption of remote work, economist Piyachart Phiromswad explores what seniors need to overcome the physical, mental and societal barriers to employment, a necessary shift in our rapidly aging world. Learn more about how these tools could empower elderly workers and better the world — for everyone.