ABSTRACT
Cowgill and Holmes cite four specific domains that contribute to the lower status of the elderly: health technology, scientific technology as applied in economic production and distribution, urbanization, and literacy and mass education. The theory proposes that health technology increases longevity by reducing infant mortality and maternal fatalities, and subsequently increases the proportion of older adults who live to advanced ages. Thus, an increased number of older men and women compete for jobs. This surplus of potential workers may result in forced retirements and may lower the status of a large number of adults not actively in the workforce. According to Modernization Theory, technological advancement also appears to result in an increase in career opportunities for younger people. Older adults, by contrast, are seen as outdated and unable to perform the more socially valued and higher status roles. Subsequently, literacy and education become directed primarily toward the youth of any given society.
