Exam 6: Gender in Adulthood and Late Life

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In Canada, as in many other countries, there are significant differences in the experience of aging across the gender line. Current research in Canada has highlighted several key areas where these differences are evident, including health outcomes, economic security, and social perceptions of aging.

One of the most striking differences in aging across the gender line is in health outcomes. Research has consistently shown that older women in Canada experience higher rates of chronic illness and disability compared to older men. This is often attributed to a combination of biological factors, such as longer life expectancy and hormonal changes, as well as social factors, such as lower access to healthcare and higher rates of poverty among older women. Addressing these disparities in health outcomes will require targeted interventions to improve access to healthcare and economic security for older women.

Economic security is another area where gender differences in aging are pronounced. Research has shown that older women in Canada are more likely to live in poverty compared to older men, due in part to factors such as the gender pay gap, time taken out of the workforce for caregiving responsibilities, and lower rates of pension and retirement savings. Addressing these disparities will require policy changes to ensure equal pay for equal work, as well as measures to support caregivers and improve retirement savings options for women.

Social perceptions of aging also differ across the gender line, with older women often facing more negative stereotypes and discrimination compared to older men. Research has shown that older women are more likely to be marginalized and overlooked in society, leading to social isolation and decreased quality of life. Changing these perceptions will require broad social changes, including challenging ageist attitudes and promoting positive representations of older women in media and popular culture.

In order to alter how we collectively think about and orient to older women vs. older men, broad social changes will be necessary. This will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses the intersecting factors of gender, age, and social inequality. Policy changes, such as improving access to healthcare and economic security for older women, will be essential, as will efforts to challenge ageist attitudes and promote positive representations of older women in society.

Overall, addressing the present differences in aging across the gender line in Canada will require a concerted effort to address the intersecting factors of gender, age, and social inequality. By implementing targeted interventions and challenging ageist attitudes, we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive approach to aging that recognizes and values the experiences of older women.