Gender, the State, and constructing the old as dependent: lessons from the economic transition in Poland

Authors:
CALASANTI Toni M., ZAJICEK Anna M.
Journal article citation:
Gerontologist, 37(4), August 1997, pp.452-461.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Critically examines the notion of the old as a "burden" to society, using a political economic and gender-sensitive approach to explore the impact of the economic transition in Poland on retirement. Poland is an especially useful case for analysing ways that divergent political economies shape the ageing experience of men and women, as differences between the two systems cannot be attributed to cultural variations. Finds that old-age dependence in Poland is not inevitable; it is not created in a uniform manner for men and women; and it is not passively accepted by the old. Further, by examining economic activities in general, we show that retired men and women have been and are critical to the viability of both economic systems, albeit in different ways.

Subject terms:
older people, pensions, politics, poverty, retirement, age discrimination, ageing, dependency, economics, gender;
Location(s):
Poland
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
0016-9013
ISSN print:
0016-9013

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