Age segregation
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Age segregation is the separation of people based on their age, and may be observed in many aspects of some societies.[1] Examples of institutionalized age segregation include age segregation in schools, and age-segregated housing.
There are studies of informal age segregation among adolescents.[2][3]
Age segregation in schools, age grading, or graded education is the separation of students into years of education (grades, forms) by approximately the same age.
In the United States, graded education was introduced during 1848 to 1870.[4]
Age segregation in the U.S. was a product of industrialization, Western formal schooling, child labor laws, social services agencies, and the rise of disciplines such as psychology and education. A combination of these caused a shift from family working as a unit to separation of economic activities and childcare emerged.[5] Some communities have different cultural practices and integrate children into mature activities of the family and community. This is common among Indigenous American communities.
Age segregation benefits individuals by bringing like-minded individuals together to share similar facilities, network and information.[6] The elderly are however disadvantaged by segregation in that they risk being excluded from economic and social developments.[6]
Effects of Age Segregation
Age grading in schools has significant impact on age segregation among adolescent peer groups.[2]
The effects of age segregation are present in the work force. It is harder for older adults to find jobs or change employment paths because of their age. They are either expected to have a significantly larger background of experience in the field, or be far enough away from retirement to be considered [7]. Although seen less in younger adults and children, there is evidence that younger populations segregate within themselves. Until around ages 7 and 8,children tend to only associate with people within 2 years of their own age. Children mostly segregate from adults, showing less adult interaction as they move into their teenage and young adult years [8]. Studies suggest that the gap in age segregation will grow because of technological knowledge seen in younger adults that is not seen in older adults. It is predicted that younger adults will have to teach older adults about new social environments that will be essential to healthy living. Without these teachings, age segregation is set to increase. [9]
References
- ^ L Steinberg, Adolescence (4th edition, 1996)
- ^ a b SpringerLink article
- ^ [1]
- ^ Frederick Dean McClusky, "Introduction of Grading into the Public Schools of New England, Part II", The Elementary School Journal, Vol. 21, No. 2 (October 1920), pp. 132-145
- ^ Rogoff, B., Glida, M. and Chavajay, P. (2010). Children's Integration in Communities and Segregation From People of Differing Ages. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), pp.431-440
- ^ a b Uhlenberg, Peter; Gierveld, Jenny (28 January 2004). "Age-segregation in later life: an examination of personal networks". Ageing and Society. 24(1): 5–28.
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
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