Final answer:
True, conflict theory suggests that ageism may be used to force older individuals out of the workforce by creating competition for scarce resources, which aligns with the observation that ageism can marginalize older adults in the job market.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to conflict theory, ageism can be understood as a way of forcing older people out of the workforce. This perspective sees society as a battleground where different social groups, including those separated by age, compete for power and scarce resources. Within this context, ageism serves as a tool that may benefit the dominant, younger workforce by reducing competition for jobs, hence marginalizing older individuals. Therefore, the statement that ageism is a way of forcing older people from the workforce aligns with the principles of conflict theory and can be considered true.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act was created to counteract ageist practices, which can be tied to modernization theory within conflict theory, suggesting that as societies modernize, there is a devaluation of the elderly and a corresponding loss of their power and influence. However, the Act itself is a legal countermeasure to the effects of such theories, providing protection for older workers against discrimination based on age.