Seniors and society

Journal title ECONOMIA E SOCIETÀ REGIONALE
Author/s Enrico Pugliese
Publishing Year 2014 Issue 2013/3 Language Italian
Pages 13 P. 19-31 File size 711 KB
DOI 10.3280/ES2013-003003
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The article starts questioning a widespread belief concerning the worsening of the condition of the elders in comparison with the past. Historical analysis has shown that old age has undergone many changes throughout history and that old people have been better off during the so called golden age of the welfare state when the diffusion of pensions, coupled with the improvement of socio-economic conditions, rescued them from poverty and dependence. But the situation has changed again with the retrenchment of the welfare state. The relations between old age and society are affected by social and cultural changes in the families. The number of multigenerational families is decreased and there is an increase of families made only by elders or by old persons alone. The decreasing availability of family members to take care of old people explains the care drain, the influx of immigrant workers for care work. The article ends with some comments on the situation of old people in the „fourth age‟, as defined by Laslett, when the problems related to dependency are coupled with loneliness.

Keywords: Seniors, Third Age, Family

Jel codes: I38, J11, P16

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Enrico Pugliese, Anziani e società in "ECONOMIA E SOCIETÀ REGIONALE " 3/2013, pp 19-31, DOI: 10.3280/ES2013-003003