Ageing
Key Concepts
Ageing populations represent a key global challenge for the twenty-first century. Few areas of life will remain untouched by the accompanying changes to cultural, economic and social life. This book interrogates various understandings of ageing, and provides a critical assessment of attitudes and responses to the development of ageing societies, placing these in the context of a variety of historical and sociological debates.
Written in a highly accessible style, this book examines a range of topics, including demographic change across high- and low-income countries, theories of social ageing, changing definitions of 'age', retirement trends, family and intergenerational relations, poverty and inequality, and health and social care in later life. The book also considers the key steps necessary in preparing for the social transformation which population ageing will bring.
Ageing provides a fresh and original approach to a topic of central concern to students and scholars working in sociology, social policy and wider social science disciplines and the humanities.
1 Introduction: Understanding Ageing 1
Part I Demographic and Social Dimensions of Ageing 9
2 Ageing Societies in a Global Perspective 11
3 Social Theories of Ageing 29
4 The Development of Ideas about Age and Ageing 53
5 The Social Construction of Ageing 70
Part II Inequalities and Divisions in Later Life 87
6 Ageing and Pensions: The Social Construction of Inequality 89
7 Families and Generational Change in Ageing Societies 109
8 'Late' Old Age 127
Part III New Pathways for Later Life 143
9 Preparing for Ageing Populations: Rebuilding Institutions 145
10 Conclusion: New Pathways for Later Life 166
Notes 178
References 181
Index 206
on ageing, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful
overview of the key debates in the field."
href="http://www.nursingtimes.net/opinion/book-club/ageing/5076035.blog">Nursing
Times
"Polity's 'key concepts' book series focuses on
highly complex concepts, and this definitely holds for
Phillipson's subject matter: ageing. The series is also meant
to get to the heart of debates about the meaning and usage of
concepts and, again, this book delivers. Phillipson provides a
clear critical outline of crucial issues surrounding ageing. The
book draws on historical developments, provides succinct overviews
of current situations and speculates on possible futures."
Social Policy and Administration
"Phillipson sets out to challenge the assumptions about ageing and
provide a systematic overview of the nature and development of
ageing societies."
Journal of Social Policy
"Like other books in the series it provides a concise and
informative approach to concepts that have a high degree of
complexity surrounding them, getting to the heart of debates about
meaning and usage, this time in relation to ageing."
Practice
"A work of critical gerontology such as this has the benefit of
encouraging reflection and offering more questions than answers: an
ideal approach for teachers and students of gerontology."
Canadian Journal on Aging
"Chris Phillipson is one of our most prominent authorities
on ageing. In this book he provides a comprehensive and insightful
overview of the key debates in the field, addressing both how we
should understand the phenomenon of ageing and also its
consequences for an increasingly globalized world."
Julia Twigg, University of Kent
"In Ageing, Chris Phillipson explains and critiques social
science contributions to understanding and moulding the way we
think about older people and population ageing. Foremost among its
many merits are exceptional clarity and comprehensibility. Both new
and long-term students of the field will profit greatly from
reading this book."
Tony Warnes, University of Sheffield
''Phillipson makes clear that the face of ageing is changing in
response to wide-reaching currents sweeping around the globe. As is
apparent throughout Ageing, the discussion of what is fair
and appropriate is shifting as the political economic forces of
national and international development redefine what it means to
grow old. A real tour de force from an internationally
recognized scholar."
Joe Hendricks, Oregon State University
''A key strength of this publication is the rich contextual
background it provides, with welcome coverage of international
variations in ageing and thought-provoking suggestions on as to how
institutions can successfully adapt to the changing
demographic''
Journal of Ageing & Society