Demographic Statistics and Old Age Ideology

Introductory descriptions of the contemporary ‘old age phenomenon’ tend to draw heavily upon demographic statistics. An analysis of such descriptions in popular books on retirement show that the ways in which these are presented and interpreted reflect a certain set of beliefs concerning the concept...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ageing and society 1981-11, Vol.1 (3), p.347-364
Main Author: Bytheway, W. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ideology/Ideologies/Ideological
Old age
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Summary:Introductory descriptions of the contemporary ‘old age phenomenon’ tend to draw heavily upon demographic statistics. An analysis of such descriptions in popular books on retirement show that the ways in which these are presented and interpreted reflect a certain set of beliefs concerning the concept of old age. Critical to this ideology is the dissociation of old age and death. Together with indicators of the unprecedented expansion of old age, this creates an image of old age that has doubtful validity.
ISSN:0144-686X
1469-1779
DOI:10.1017/S0144686X00008953