Age as a Factor of Diversity

Age is...

• An interaction with ethnicity, gender, social status and culture
• Influences perceptions, attitudes, values and behavior

Childhood & Adolescence

• Social Class % Poverty - 1 in 6
• Prejudice
• Child Abuse
• Relationship with parents
• Substance abuse
• Sexual behaviors
• Suicide
• Violence

Adulthood

• Ages 20 - 64 ... HUGE life decisions
• Baby Boomers - 1946-1964
• Education for adults
• Generation X - 1965 - 1976
• Generation Y - 1980 - 1994 1/3 of the US population

Old Age

• Age 65 and up
• in US, value is placed on production
• by 2030 we shall have 70 million elderly
• Pensions & health care are major issues
• Elderly make up a strong political force - THEY VOTE (AARP)
• Socioeconomic factors present difficulties

Educational Implications

• Perception of various age groups
• Understanding age-group characteristics
• Child abuse reporting responsibilities
• Health issues and risky behaviors
• Education will continue to compete for scarce resources