So, what is race? Is how you check the box on job applications or standardized tests? Is it a label? Is Race something that defines who we are where we come from? What is race to you?:

The dictionary defines race as being: “Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics.”

Despite what the dictionary says, there is no scientific definition of race. In fact, we’ve come to find that race as think of it has no biological or natural basis and that the "race" related physical variations found in humans have no real significance except for the social/cultural importance put on them by people.

The terms “Race” and “ethnicity” are often used interchangeably, as is apparent from the second entry under Race: “A group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.; an ethnic group.“

This image is from the 2010 census, which was the first in U.S. history that allowed people to check more than one racial category box. But as you can see, the idea of race reains subjective.

Ethnicity is a term that describes shared culture—the practices, values, and beliefs of a group.

This might include shared language, religion, and traditions, among other commonalities.

Like race, the term ethnicity is difficult to describe and its meaning has changed over time.

And like race, individuals may be identified or self-identify to ethnicities in complex, even contradictory, ways.

For example, ethnic groups such as Irish, Italian American, Russian, Jewish, and Serbian might all be groups whose members are predominantly included in the racial category “white.”

Conversely, the ethnic group British includes citizens from a multiplicity of racial backgrounds: black, white, Asian, and more, plus a variety of race combinations.

A minority group is any group of people who, because of their physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out from the others in the society in which they live for differential and unequal treatment, and who therefore regard themselves as objects of collective discrimination.

Perhaps a more accurate way to think about minorities and majorities are as
Subordinate and dominant groups.

These definitions correlate to the concept that the dominant group is that which holds the most power in a given society, while subordinate groups are those who lack power compared to the dominant group.

Note that being a numerical minority is not a characteristic of being a minority group; sometimes larger groups can be considered minority groups due to their lack of power.

It is the lack of power that is the predominant characteristic of a minority, or subordinate group.

For example, consider Apartheid in South Africa, in which a numerical majority (the black inhabitants of the country) were exploited and oppressed by the white minority.

The elderly may be considered a minority group due to diminished status and resultant discrimination, which we’ll look into later.

*Prejudice refers to biased thinking,
*Discrimination consists of actions against a group of people.

Prejudice is preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

--For example, someone goes to a restaurant and asks to be reseated, away from a group whose ethnic or religious heritage frightens or offends them.

It might be Italian businessmen ("might be mobsters") to a Middle Eastern family ("could be terrorists”). Or someone who seeks out a a male auto mechanic, under the belief that a female mechanic would be less qualified; or hiring a female kindergarten teacher, thinking that a male teacher wouldn't be as compassionate.

Discrimination is action that denies social participation or human rights to categories of people based on prejudice.

Unfortunately, we have ample examples here in our own country; Jim Crow laws, which segregated public schools, public transportation, public facilities, the US military and federal workplaces for whites and blacks, were in effect until 1965.

Racial steering, is a practice in which real estate agents direct prospective homeowners toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race.

An example of racial steering occurring in the United States can be seen in Detroit when the automobile industry opened up new factories creating many jobs in 1916 - 1917 and again in 1924, many African Americans migrated to reap the benefits.[ This migration changed the racial, social, economic, and political landscape of Detroit. City officials were faced with racial tensions almost overnight. Racial tensions were maintained by the city officials when they supported movements and laws that allowed racial segregation and discrimination in housing, employment and community services to continue.

There are several theories about our relationship as a society to race and ethinicity:

Functionalism as it relates to race relations operates under the theory that racial and ethnic inequalities must have served an important function in order to exist as long as they have.

Sociologists who adhere to the functionalist view argue that racism and discrimination do contribute positively, but only to the dominant group. Kind of a no-brainer; historically, it has indeed served dominant groups well to discriminate against subordinate groups.
---Slavery, of course, was beneficial to slaveholders.

Outcomes of race-based disenfranchisement—such as poverty levels, crime rates, and discrepancies in employment and education opportunities—illustrate the long-term (and clearly negative) results of slavery and racism in American society.

A conflict theory perspective of U.S. history would examine the numerous past and current struggles between the white ruling class and racial and ethnic minorities, noting specific conflicts that have arisen when the dominant group perceived a threat from the minority group.

In the late 19th century, the rising power of black Americans after the Civil War resulted in draconian Jim Crow laws that severely limited black political and social power.

The years since then have showed a pattern of attempted disenfranchisement, with gerrymandering and voter suppression efforts aimed at predominantly minority neighborhoods.

For symbolic interactionists, race and ethnicity provide strong symbols as sources of identity. In fact, some interactionists propose that the symbols of race, not race itself, are what lead to racism.
They argue that racial prejudice is formed through interactions between members of the dominant group: Without these interactions, individuals in the dominant group would not hold racist views. These interactions contribute to an abstract picture of the subordinate group that allows the dominant group to support its view of the subordinate group, thus maintaining the status quo.

An example of this might be an individual whose beliefs about a particular group are based on images conveyed in popular media, and those are unquestionably believed because the individual has never personally met a member of that group.

“Aging” reflects not just the physiological process of growing older, but also our attitudes and beliefs about the aging process. You’ve probably seen online
calculators that promise to determine your “real age” as opposed to your chronological age.
These ads target the notion that people may “feel” a different age than their actual years. Some 60-year-olds feel frail and elderly, while some 80-year-olds feel sprightly.

Gerontology is a field of science that seeks to understand the process of aging and the challenges encountered as seniors grow older.

Gerontologists investigate age, aging, and the aged. They study what it is like to be an older adult in a society and the ways that aging affects members of a society.
As a multidisciplinary field, gerontology includes the the work of medical and biological scientists, social scientists, and even financial and economic scholars.

Social gerontology refers to a specialized field of gerontology that examines the social (and sociological) aspects of aging. Researchers focus on developing a broad understanding of the experiences of people at specific ages, such as mental and physical well being, plus age-specific concerns such as the process of dying.

Social gerontologists work as social researchers, counselors, community organizers, and service providers for older adults. Because of their specialization, social gerontologists are in a strong position to advocate for older adults.

There three phases of aging:
The young-old (approximately 65–74)

---So here in the US, once you reach 67 you are considered a “senior citizen” and are eligible for retirement. On the other hand, Cambodia’s retirement age is 50.

The middle-old (ages 75–84), and
The old-old (over age 85).

Ageism is discrimination (when someone acts on a prejudice) based on age. Age-based prejudice and stereotyping usually involves older or younger people being pitied, marginalized, or patronized. This is described as "benevolent prejudice" because the tendency to pity is linked to seeing older or younger people as "friendly" but "incompetent."

Many preindustrial societies observed gerontocracy, a type of social structure wherein the power is held by a society’s oldest members. The best example of this can be seen in the ancient Greek city state of Sparta, which was ruled by a Gerousia (Ger-u-shia). A Gerousia was a council made up of members who were at least 60 years old and served for life.[3]

While we will all get older, it’s no surprise that the way we age is to some degree in our control.

Primary Aging pertains to biological factors such as molecular and cellular changes.

While Secondary Aging is aging that occurs due to controllable factors like exercise and diet.

For example, it wasn’t until the 1940’s that gerontology really began to gain momentum as a field of study and physicians began to recognize that “old age” in and of itself was not a disease and that the signs and symptoms that older patients were experiencing while perhaps related to age, were not inevitable.

Demographically, the U.S. population over age 65 increased from 3 million in 1900 to 33 million in 1994 (Hobbs 1994) and to 36.8 million in 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau 2011c).
*This is a greater than tenfold increase in the elderly population, compared to a mere tripling of both the total population and of the population under 65.

While demographers have long projected a significantly older country later this century, declines in fertility and mortality rates are hastening the shift, leading to what are expected to be profound changes for issues ranging from Social Security and health care to education.

In addition to the large number of baby boomers, Americans born from mid-1946 to mid-1964 who are now entering or approaching retirement, other factors contributing to the country’s aging include fewer people dying from smoking-related illnesses.

According to a recent census bureau report, United States would be among a number of nations with a large share of their populations older than 65, including nearly 33 percent of Japanese, 28 percent of Germans and 25.5 percent of Italians who will be 65 or older by 2030.

And where would we be without theories. There are several theories about the process of aging and our adaptiation to it, among them Disengagement theory, Activity theory and contiunity theory.

Disengagement Theory suggests that withdrawing from society and social relationships is a natural part of growing old.

There are several main points to the theory:
First, because everyone expects to die one day, and because we experience physical and mental decline as we approach death, it is natural to withdraw from individuals and society.

Second, as the elderly withdraw, they receive less reinforcement to conform to social norms. Therefore, this withdrawal allows a greater freedom from the pressure to conform.

Finally, social withdrawal is gendered, meaning it is experienced differently by men and women. Because men focus on work and women focus on marriage and family, when they withdraw they will be unhappy and directionless until they adopt a role to replace their accustomed role that is compatible with the disengaged state.

Activity Theory:
According to this theory, activity levels and social involvement are key to this process, and key to happiness.

According to this theory, the more active and involved an elderly person is, the happier he or she will be.

Critics of this theory point out that access to social opportunities and activity are not equally available to all. Moreover, not everyone finds fulfillment in the presence of others or participation in activities. Reformulations of this theory suggest that participation in informal activities, such as hobbies, are what most effect later life satisfaction.

Continuity Theory:
According to continuity theory, the elderly make specific choices to maintain consistency in internal (personality structure, beliefs) and external structures (relationships), remaining active and involved throughout their elder years.

This is an attempt to maintain social equilibrium and stability by making future decisions on the basis of already developed social roles.

One criticism of this theory is its emphasis on so-called “normal” aging, which marginalizes those with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s.