How is age related to inequality? While many societies revere those in old age, most Western societies do not. These attitudes can lead to ageism, or differential treatment based on age. The status of...

How is age related to inequality? While many societies revere those in old age, most Western societies do not. These attitudes can lead to ageism, or differential treatment based on age. The status of the elderly in the West is derived from social changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Social norms changed quickly, and the knowledge of older people became less relevant. Their decreased importance in the workplace led to differential treatment in society, which is justified by the creation of a cultural ideology portraying old people as inept children. As society changed, the place of the elderly changed. While more older Americans are wealthier than ever before, many are also living in or near poverty and lack the resources to make ends meet. As in any group, inequality is magnified when intersected with minority status.