Ethical implications of the promotion of elder volunteerism: A critical perspective

Abstract This critical inquiry explores the question: What are the ethical implications of promoting normative ideals for healthy aging, such as volunteerism and civic engagement, that specifically emphasize productivity and contribution? In this paper, we identify the values and ethical standpoints...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging studies 2011-12, Vol.25 (4), p.427-435
Main Authors: Martinson, Marty, Halpern, Jodi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Alternative Approaches
Citizen Participation
Citizens
Critical gerontology
Discourse
Elderly
Ethics
Health promotion
Healthy aging
Internal Medicine
Older people
Political economy
Productivity
Social norms of aging
Values
Volunteerism
Volunteers
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Summary:Abstract This critical inquiry explores the question: What are the ethical implications of promoting normative ideals for healthy aging, such as volunteerism and civic engagement, that specifically emphasize productivity and contribution? In this paper, we identify the values and ethical standpoints embedded in the discourse promoting volunteerism and productive aging and then describe what this suggests about how older adults are viewed, valued and judged. More specifically, we argue that older adult volunteering has at times been framed in a manner that dually suggests: a) lifelong productivity is a necessary condition to be a good old person ; and b) lifelong productivity is a necessary condition to be a good old citizen . We then demonstrate that the current promotion of older adult volunteerism and productive aging is ethically troubling because: 1) it fails to capture the full potential of the self — and in particular, the aging self; and 2) it grounds justice in a narrowly defined and unfair distributive scheme. An alternative model of aging is then presented based on equal regard for all persons insofar as this approach is inclusive of the diversity of older adults and aging processes, and policy implications are discussed.
ISSN:0890-4065
1879-193X
DOI:10.1016/j.jaging.2011.04.003