Final answer:
The five age groups within the system include children ages 0 to 2.5, 2.5 to 6, 6-13, 13-20, and adults ages 65 and older. Early adulthood spans from roughly 18 to early 30s, whereas middle adulthood covers ages 35 to 64. These age ranges are used to analyze various sociological aspects, such as development stages and poverty rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The age groups within the system can be divided into broad categories starting from childhood to elderly age. The major age groups are:
- Children ages 0 to 2.5: This group includes infants and toddlers, representing the earliest stage of development.
- Children ages 2.5 to 6: These are preschool-age children who are starting to develop more complex motor skills and social interactions.
- Children ages 6-13: This group represents school-age children, who undergo significant cognitive, emotional, and social development.
- Children ages 13-20: Usually referred to as adolescents or teenagers, this group encompasses puberty and the transition into adulthood.
- Adults ages 65 and older: This group can further be differentiated into three major senior age groups - the 'young-old' (ages 65-74), 'middle-old' (ages 75-84), and 'old-old' (85 years and over).
When discussing the stages of adulthood, we recognize early adulthood (typically ranging from ages 18 to the mid-20s to early 30s), characterized by the pursuit of higher education, entry into the workforce, and the beginning of families. Middle adulthood usually ranges from ages 35 to 64, encompassing a period where individuals often experience peak career moments, health changes, and shifts in family dynamics. Lastly, the poverty rates by age group, as illustrated by the data from the year 2013 in Table 14.1 and the population division seen in Figure A6 for the years 1970, 2000, and projected for 2030, categorize age groups in terms of children (birth to 18 years), working-age adults (19 to 64 years), and the elderly (65 years and above).