Many concepts and lenses are utilized in life course sociology to gain a better understanding of the theories discussed in class and within the text. The life course perspective is used to encompass the sequence of socially defined events and roles the person lives out over time. There are five principles of the life course perspective: life-span development, place and time, timing, linked lives, and agency. These can be thought of as “lenses” to view the different ways to view the life course. Another theory discussed in class is the CAD theory, or Cumulative Advantage/Disadvantage theory (Dannefer). This theory thinks of the life course as a sort of timeline of life events but does not take major change into account. This change is called
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The winning of the lottery is an example of deinstitutionalization, something the CAD theory would not take into account.
A social issue that I find particularly interesting and rather relevant is the lives of the citizens of Haiti. Recently, a category 4 hurricane struck the Caribbean country and completely obliterated anything and everything in its path. The most recent death toll has surpassed 1,000, and is still expected to rise. This country has seen many hurricanes before, but as one of the poorest countries in the world it cannot rebuild without substantial financial, medical, and economic assistance. I find the life course of these citizens interesting in a rather morbid way. One day you are working, just like any other, and the next you are barely surviving. The average life expectancy is 62 years in Haiti, which is 16 years less than the United States. The yearly income is around $817, and the person per physician ratio is 4,000:1. These statistics make it almost seem like a miracle anyone can survive 62 years in this extremely disadvantaged country. Viewing the life course of these citizens with the CAD theory would not prove to be very useful and accurate because you could not keep up with the sudden
The winning of the lottery is an example of deinstitutionalization, something the CAD theory would not take into account.
A social issue that I find particularly interesting and rather relevant is the lives of the citizens of Haiti. Recently, a category 4 hurricane struck the Caribbean country and completely obliterated anything and everything in its path. The most recent death toll has surpassed 1,000, and is still expected to rise. This country has seen many hurricanes before, but as one of the poorest countries in the world it cannot rebuild without substantial financial, medical, and economic assistance. I find the life course of these citizens interesting in a rather morbid way. One day you are working, just like any other, and the next you are barely surviving. The average life expectancy is 62 years in Haiti, which is 16 years less than the United States. The yearly income is around $817, and the person per physician ratio is 4,000:1. These statistics make it almost seem like a miracle anyone can survive 62 years in this extremely disadvantaged country. Viewing the life course of these citizens with the CAD theory would not prove to be very useful and accurate because you could not keep up with the sudden