1. The theory of cumulative disadvantage highlights the influence of earlier life experiences in the quality of life in old age. Using this framework, speculate on how one’s childhood and young adulthood might influence one’s economic and health status in old age.
According to Aging & Socioeconomic Status (n.d.), one of the economic and health statuses that could affect old age later is the impacts of socioeconomic status. The reasons for this has to do with our surroundings and environment in which we are brought up in, along with the subjective perceptions of social status and social class. Examples as to what impacts our quality of life as well as various opportunities and advantages that may be afforded to people within a more modern society compared to traditional. In a more modern society/culture, starting at a young age, a person has the power to make decisions for themselves as to what resources are available to be successful throughout their lives such as education, career, and even their mate.
This is because the socioeconomic status has been shown to have an impact on our functioning both mentally and physically throughout life. When we don’t achieve the higher standards of socioeconomic status while we are still young adults this is what ultimately leads a person to poorer education, poor health, and even poverty. “Society benefits from an increased focus on the foundations of socioeconomic inequities and efforts to reduce the deep gaps in socioeconomic status in the United States and abroad”(Aging & Socioeconomic Status, n.d.).