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Social Structures of Aging Individuals

Jorinda Domingo

School of Health and Wellness: Bow Valley College

SOCI1301: Sociology of Aging

Corrine Ferguson

May 20, 2020

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Social Structures of Aging Individuals

Introduction

This paper will focus on the roles of social structure in molding the choices and

experiences of older adults through the concepts of social stratification by social class, and social

institution of Canadian health care system.

Social Structure

Defined as the “ways in which a society is organized at a given point in history, including

its distribution of wealth, political and economic system, cultural patterns, dominant social roles,

and power relations between groups” (Funk, 2016, p. 3).

Social institutions are the strong features of societies that shape our daily lives in certain

ways (Funk, 2016, p. 201). Canadian health care system is “a social institution created to deliver

care and promote good health in our society (Bow Valley College, 2020, “Aging and Social

Institution”, mod. 5, part 1). The lack of access to health care services is concerning to older

aboriginal people in Canada living in remote and rural areas (Funk, 2016, p. 169). According to

Health Council of Canada (2013), the need to travel for most health care services is the most

important issues affecting the quality of life of seniors and their family (p.11). The knowledge

about herbal medicine shared by the elders in aboriginal community may influence the choices

and experiences of the aging individuals (Auger & Tedford-Litle, 2002).

Social stratification is “a system by which society categorizes people and ranks them in

hierarchy” (Macionis, 2014). Health inequality is an example of social stratification by social

class. According to Wister (2019), inequality involves an uneven distribution of wealth and

poverty, unequal opportunities for health care, leisure, and differential access to power and

rewards (p. 169). Example, Peter in his mid-60’s who has mental illness has difficulty looking
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for a full-time job because of his condition. He has become homeless; He now lives in a

temporary accommodation. As a result, Peter is unable to meet his basic needs for survival (Bow

Valley College, 2020, mod. 5, part 1). “ the inability to meet the most basic needs to live-through

can have a direct negative effect on health by influencing our circumstances and living

conditions, including access to foods, housing and utilities, and transportation ((Funk, 2016,

p.77).

Conclusion
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References

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