1. How do social norms—formal or informal—shape our definition of age?

2. Identify the societal consequences of population aging.

3. Disengagement theory defines aging as a natural process of withdrawal from active social participation. Do you think this disengagement is a natural process or brought on by social factors? Explain.

4. From an interactionist’s perspective, how can we improve the status of the elderly?

5. In what ways are elderly women disadvantaged in society in comparison with elderly men?

6. Compare and contrast the U.S. Social Security system with the pension systems in Sweden and Canada.