Table
of Contents
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Preface |
xv |
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Acknowledgments |
xvii |
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Chapter 1 |
Aging and Society |
1 |
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Dimensions
of Aging |
2 |
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Physical Aging |
2 |
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Psychological Aging |
3 |
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Social Aging |
4 |
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Social Construction of Aging |
5 |
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Societal Aging |
5 |
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Ways of
Categorizing People by Age |
6 |
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Chronological Age |
6 |
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Functional Age |
7 |
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Life Stage |
8 |
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Ageism |
8 |
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The Rise of
Old Age as a Social Category |
9 |
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Generational Consciousness |
10 |
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The Aging Population as a Social Force |
11 |
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The Life Course and Old Age |
12 |
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Social
Perspectives on Aging |
13 |
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Social Gerontology |
13 |
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The Sociological Imagination |
15 |
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Micro and Macro Perspectives |
16 |
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Patterning of Experience: Diversity
and Heterogeneity |
16 |
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Summary |
18 |
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Web Wise |
19 |
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Key Terms |
19 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
20 |
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Chapter 2 |
Studying Aging |
21 |
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Why do We
Conduct Research? |
21 |
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The Role of Theory |
23 |
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How do We
Conduct Research on Aging? |
24 |
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Age as a Variable |
25 |
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Sorting Out Age, Period, and Cohort Effects |
25 |
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Aging Effects: Criminal Behavior by
Age |
29 |
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Cohort Effects: The Case of Voting
Among Women After the Nineteenth Amendment |
30 |
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Period Effects: A Hypothetical
Example of Consumer Spending Over the Life Course |
31 |
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Designs and
Methods Targeted to Research on Aging |
32 |
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Longitudinal/Panel Studies |
32 |
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Secondary Analysis |
33 |
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Qualitative, Quantitative, or Combined Methods |
34 |
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Event History Analysis |
35 |
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Life History and Reminiscence |
37 |
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Other Special Issues in Studying Aging |
37 |
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Separating |
37 |
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Increasing Variability with Age |
38 |
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Sampling Adequately |
38 |
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Ethical Issues in Research on Aging |
40 |
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Cohort-Centrism,
Dynamism, and Limits of Current Knowledge |
40 |
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Sociology
of Knowledge and Research Activism |
41 |
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Applying Theory: Cohort Size and Life Chances: The Easterlin
Hypothesis |
42 |
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Summary |
44 |
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Web Wise |
44 |
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Key Terms |
45 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
45 |
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Topical Essay: will They Play the Rolling Stones at the Nursing Home? |
47 |
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Chapter 3 |
An Aging World: Demographic
Perspectives |
51 |
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The Aging
of Societies |
51 |
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Applying Theory: Demographic Transition Theory |
53 |
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How do Populations Age? |
55 |
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Measures of Population Aging |
55 |
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Population Pyramids |
55 |
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Proportion Aged |
59 |
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Median Ages |
59 |
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Aging Index |
60 |
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Dependency Ratios |
60 |
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Life Expectancy |
62 |
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Prospective Age |
66 |
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Global Aging |
66 |
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Demographic
Characteristics of the |
68 |
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Living Arrangements |
68 |
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Geographic Distribution |
69 |
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Gender Composition |
70 |
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Increasing Diversity |
70 |
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Centenarians |
71 |
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Interpreting
and Using Demographic Data |
71 |
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The Fallacy of the Demographic Imperative |
72 |
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Summary |
73 |
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Web Wise |
73 |
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Key Terms |
74 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
75 |
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Chapter 4 |
The Aging Individual in Social
Context |
77 |
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Setting the
Stage: Psychology of Aging |
77 |
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Human Development and Aging |
78 |
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Social
Context and Individual Aging |
79 |
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Environmental Gerontology |
79 |
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Social Context |
80 |
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The Life Course |
80 |
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Social Time |
82 |
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Social Roles |
82 |
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Age Norms |
84 |
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Age Norms and Life Course Flexibility |
86 |
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Age Norms and Ageism |
88 |
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Structural Lag |
88 |
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Life Course Perspective in Gerontology |
90 |
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Summary |
91 |
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Web Wise |
91 |
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Analyzing Theory: The Emergence of Developmental Science |
92 |
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Key Terms |
93 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
93 |
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Topical Essay: Love, Sex, and Longevity |
94 |
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Chapter 5 |
Aging and the Family: Personal
and Institutional Contexts |
97 |
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The Family
Os an Institution |
97 |
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The Meanings of Generation |
98 |
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Aspects of Family Variation |
98 |
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Core Norms
and Expectations of Family Relationships |
99 |
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100 |
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Voluntarism and Obligation |
102 |
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Applying Theory: Family Life Cycle Theory and Individual Dependency in the Family |
103 |
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Families as a Personal Network |
104 |
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Strengths in Later-Life Families |
104 |
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Continuity and Change in Lacer-Life Families |
105 |
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Key
Familial Roles and Relationships |
105 |
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Spouses/Aging Couples |
106 |
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Marital Satisfaction Throughout the
Life Course |
107 |
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Termination of Marriage: Widows and
Widowers |
108 |
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Grandparents |
110 |
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Voluntary Grandparenting
in Middle-Class Families |
111 |
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Surrogate Parenting and Grandfamilies |
112 |
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Families as
Caregivers |
112 |
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Context of Caregiving: Family Norms of
Mutual Assistance |
113 |
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Intergenerational Support |
113 |
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Family Members as Caregivers to Frail Elders |
115 |
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Who are Family Caregivers? |
116 |
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Women in the Middle |
116 |
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Caregiver Burden and Rewards |
117 |
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Involvement of Older Adults in their Care |
117 |
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Family Conflict: Elder Abuse and Neglect |
118 |
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Social
Changes and the Family’s Future |
118 |
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Changes in Marriage |
119 |
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Changes in the Size and Shape of Families |
119 |
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Future Changes in the Timing of Family Life Events |
120 |
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Growing Complexity of Family Relations |
120 |
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Summary |
121 |
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Web Wise |
122 |
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Key Terms |
123 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
123 |
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Chapter 6 |
Work and Retirement in the Life
Course |
125 |
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Employment
as an Organizing Force in the Life Course |
125 |
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Dynamics of the Labor Force |
125 |
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Employment
and Life Chances |
127 |
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The
Occupational Life Cycle |
129 |
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Older
Workers and the Dynamics of the Labor Force |
131 |
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Skills and Employability of Older Workers |
132 |
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Special Programs for Older Workers |
133 |
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Age
Discrimination in Employment: Problems and Policies |
134 |
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Applying Theory: Rocking Chairs or Rock Climbing: Disengagement and Activity Theories |
135 |
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Defining
Retirement |
137 |
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The Social Construction of Retirement |
137 |
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The Institutionalization of Retirement in the |
139 |
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The Role of Social Security |
139 |
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The Role of Employer Pensions |
140 |
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Gender and Retirement |
142 |
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Race/Ethnic and Social Class Variations |
143 |
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The Deconstruction of Retirement? |
144 |
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Individual
Retirement |
144 |
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Determinants of the Retirement Decision |
145 |
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Employment After Retirement—Bridge Jobs |
146 |
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Retirement Consequences for Individuals and Couples |
147 |
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Rethinking
Work and Retirement for the Future |
149 |
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Changes in Policies and Political Attitudes |
149 |
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Changes in the Economy and the Nature of Work |
149 |
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Applying Theory: Continuity Theory and the Busy Ethic |
150 |
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Summery |
151 |
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Web Wise |
152 |
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Key Terms |
153 |
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Questions for Thought and Discussion |
153 |
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Topical
Essay: Ironies of Crime:
Silver-Haired Victims and Criminals |
154 |
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Chapter 7 |
Economics and the Aging of Society |
157 |
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The Role of Economics in Aging |
157 |
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Policy and the Economic Status of Older Adults |
157 |
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Income Maintenance Policies |
157 |
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Income Maintenance in the |
158 |
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International Views on Income
Maintenance |
159 |
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Sources of Income |
159 |
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Social Security: Background and
Contemporary Issues |
160 |
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Employer Pensions |
165 |
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Personal Savings/Assets |
168 |
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Economic Weil-Being of Older Americans |
169 |
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Alternatives for Measuring Economic
Well-Being |
169 |
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Measures of Economic Status |
169 |
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Rates of Poverty |
170 |
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Economic Well-Being and Inequality Among Older People |
173 |
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Effects of Population Aging on the Economy |
175 |
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Spending and Saving Over the Life
Course |
175 |
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Applying
Theory: The Stratified Life
Course and Economic Diversity |
176 |
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Consumption Patterns |
178 |
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Prospects for the Future Economic Status of the Elderly |
180 |
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Summary |
181 |
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Web Wise |
182 |
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Key Terms |
182 |
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Questions for Thought and Discussion |
182 |
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Topical
Essay: E-Elders |
183 |
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Chapter 8 |
Aging and Health: Individuals, Institutions, and Policies |
185 |
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Physical Aging |
185 |
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The Health Status of Older People |
187 |
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Prevalence Rates for Chronic Conditions |
187 |
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Functional Ability |
188 |
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Self-Assessment |
190 |
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Mortality |
191 |
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The Social Context of Mortality:
Death and Dying |
192 |
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Mental
Health and Aging |
194 |
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Explaining
Gender and Race Variations in Health |
195 |
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The |
196 |
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The Medical Model of Health Care |
197 |
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Elements of
the Health Care System |
200 |
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Access and Utilization |
200 |
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Financing Health Care for Older Americans |
201 |
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Applying Theory: The Political Economy of Health Core Access |
202 |
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Medicare |
203 |
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Medicare Part D |
206 |
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Medicaid |
206 |
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Long-Term
Care in the |
207 |
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Unpaid Long-Term Care |
208 |
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Nursing Homes |
209 |
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Assisted Living |
210 |
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Community-Based Long-Term Care |
210 |
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Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
211 |
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Financing Long-Term Care |
211 |
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CLASS Act |
212 |
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Summary |
212 |
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Web Wise |
213 |
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Key Terms |
214 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
214 |
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Topical Essay: Antiaging: Cosmetics
and Aesthetics |
216 |
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Chapter 9 |
Politics, Government, and Aging
in |
219 |
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Age-Based
Government Policies |
219 |
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The Old-Age Welfare State |
219 |
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The Older Americans Act |
221 |
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The Aging |
222 |
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Aging and
Politics |
222 |
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Age Norms and Rules for Political Participation |
222 |
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Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Political Behavior |
223 |
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Voting and Activism: The Potential
for Old-Age Political Power |
224 |
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Attitudes and Party Affiliation |
228 |
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Working the Political System: Age-Based Advocacy |
230 |
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AARP and Capitol Hill |
231 |
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Recent Legislation: Medicare Part D
and Health Care Reform |
232 |
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Generational Politics: Conflict and Consensus |
233 |
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The Debate on Age and
Need Entitlements |
234 |
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The |
236 |
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The Generational Equity
Debate |
237 |
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The Potential for
Generational Conflict |
239 |
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Rethinking
Age-Based Policies? |
240 |
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Applying Theory: Age Stratification Theory |
241 |
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Summary |
243 |
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Web Wise |
244 |
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Key Terms |
244 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
244 |
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Chapter 10 |
Global Aging |
247 |
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Global
Aging and Regional Economies |
247 |
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More, Less,
and Least Developed Designations |
248 |
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Demographic
Overview of Global Aging |
249 |
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Speed of
Population Aging |
249 |
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Demographic
Dividends |
250 |
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Cultural
Traditions, Population Aging, and Social Change |
252 |
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253 |
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255 |
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255 |
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Aging and
the Welfare State |
258 |
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History of the Welfare State |
258 |
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Program Types and Eligibility |
260 |
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Welfare State and the Role of the Family |
261 |
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The Study
of Global Aging |
262 |
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Comparative Methods |
263 |
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Applying Theory: Modernization Theory |
264 |
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Beyond the “Exotic Other” |
265 |
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International
Initiatives on Aging |
266 |
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Summary |
267 |
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Web Wise |
268 |
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Key Terms |
269 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
269 |
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Chapter 11 |
Baby Boomers and the Changing
Landscape of Aging |
271 |
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Cohort Flow
and Changing Aging |
272 |
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Who are the
Baby Boomers? |
273 |
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Characteristics of the Baby Boomer Cohort |
274 |
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Education |
275 |
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Sharing Lives and Households |
276 |
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Health |
278 |
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Diversity |
280 |
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Summary of Demographic and Health
Characteristics |
282 |
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Generational Characteristics |
282 |
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But are They Happy? |
283 |
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Avoiding Stereotypes |
284 |
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New
Landscapes of Aging |
285 |
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The Third Age: A New Phase of the Life Course |
285 |
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Productive Aging: Expanded Opportunities, Altered Expectations |
285 |
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Civic Engagement: Productive Aging
for the Public Good |
287 |
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Employment and Productive Aging |
288 |
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Encore Careers |
288 |
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Workforce Needs for an Aging Society |
289 |
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Lifelong Learning |
289 |
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Summary |
290 |
|
|
Web Wise |
291 |
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Key Terms |
292 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
292 |
|
Chapter 12 |
The Dynamics of Aging in Our
Future |
293 |
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Aging in a
Changing Social World |
294 |
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Rethinking Old Age and the Life Course |
294 |
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Long-Term Changes in Aging: Beyond the
Boomers |
296 |
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Growth and Change: The Aging of the Older Population |
297 |
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|
Centenarians |
298 |
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Changing Family Structures |
300 |
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Changes in Health: Incremental Changes and Breakthroughs |
301 |
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The Risks of Prediction |
302 |
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|
The Uniqueness of Aging in Each Cohort |
303 |
|
|
Challenges
and Opportunities for the Field |
304 |
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|
Disciplinary Frameworks |
304 |
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Micro/Macro Distinctions: Implications for Policy and Practice |
305 |
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Firming Our Theoretical Foundations |
306 |
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Addressing Diversity in Policy and Practice |
307 |
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Transforming Knowledge to Inform Policy and Practice |
307 |
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|
Your Future
Aging Self |
308 |
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|
Summary |
309 |
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Web Wise |
310 |
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Key Terms |
310 |
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Questions
for Thought and Discussion |
311 |
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|
References |
313 |
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Index |
345 |
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