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For the first time in mankind’s history, the world’s population is ageing. Decade by decade, people are living longer than they ever have before. For rich countries in the west, the problems are obvious-economies rely on youthful populations to provide for those who have retired. As the population ages, we face a profound economic and social crises-how do we care for the elderly when pensions and social crises-how do we care for the elderly when pensions and social security systems are under threat, housing is in short supply and fewer young people are entering the workplace? There are anxieties at the highest level in the U.S that an ageing populations may make the country forefeit its image of youthful dynamism, as new creative generations come of age in the south.
Yet this is only half the story. Populations in the proper countries of the South are also aging. Life-expectancy has increased due to the availability of lifesaving medicine. Child mortality has decreased, so people are having smaller families. India will soon have one of the largest populations of people over the age of 60. The one-child policy in china will similarly lead to a severe imbalance in the age-profile of the people.
In a World Growing Old, author & journalist Jeremy Seabrook examines the real implications of the aging phenomenon, & challenges our preconceptions about how it should be tackled. Arguing that the accumulated skills & experience of the elderly should be employed to enrich society, rather than being perceived as a ‘burden’, he makes a passionate case for a radical rethinking of our attitude to population issues, migration, social structures & employment policy. Demonstrating that the reintegration of the elderly into societies worldwide is vital for our survival.
Contents: Introduction to Ageing-response to ageing, status of the elderly, replacing the generations, cost of ageing • Issues on Ageing-ageing in the rich world, ageing in the poor world • Ageing & development-employment of the elderly, testimony of individuals, falling life expectancy in Africa, pension crises in Britain • Widowhood-Witchcraft & older women, remembering & forgetting, sex in the old age, poverty in the old age • An ageing world-The United States, China, Laos, Vietnam, South Africa, Germany • Active Ageing-pensioners & the retired, elder abuse, crime & the elderly
ISBN 9788130906324
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Pages : 196
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