Ageing-demographic Time-bomb Or Social Construct: Outline of the Potential Horizons and Opportunities - Ageing-demographic Time-bomb Or Social Construct: Outline of the Potential Horizons and Opportunities - Open Access Pub

Ageing whilst an inevitable process in the human being, does not have to be marked by progressive decline and social withdrawal. `Ageism’ can generate a number of negative and at times destructive perspectives, labelling the elderly and possibly encouraging them to reflect the attitudes and behaviour of the label. This discussion paper addresses concerns about the `demographic time-bomb’ in some advanced economies from a sociological and policy perspective; exploring briefly functional, critical and social action theory. The paper concludes by suggesting that social perspective significantly translate to social behaviour and interaction with and by the elderly. Many of the ageist preconceptions are not necessarily supported by research, and that advancing age should be marked by empowerment, participation, choice and more effective social integration or reintegration. Importantly, the ageing process and perspectives on ageing need to be addressed, both politically and structurally within societies. DOI10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-16-1274 Across a number of advanced economies, the population dependency ratio has significantly increased in the last half-century 1. This is often presented and indeed to some extent fuelled through the media-as a global ageing `demographic time-bomb’2. This perception is addressed from the sociological perspectives of functionalism, critical theory and social action. Both Fennell et al. 3 and Denny et al. 1 suggest an over focus upon chronological age within social gerontology- demonstrating that age is substantially a social construct. Characterisation of the over 65yrs is often marked by rather negative labels and stereotypical generalizations, including that older people are unproductive and a drain on health resources. These stereotypes are not necessarily supported by research 4. Whilst some of the elderly are relatively affluent and have access to additional pension sources, for many people in Europe retirement is marked by a significant decline in income ; reflecting nutritionally, socially and in terms of accelerating levels of chronic stress 5.Vincent 6 argues that some of the elderly represent amongst the most disadvantaged groups. There is significant misinformation and misunderstanding both with regards to the elderly and indeed by the elderly. Certainly there is evidence of negative labelling, discrimination and the stigmatisation of the elderly = ‘ageism’. These negative stereotypes reinforce a manifestation of ageing as marked by helplessness, confusion, resistance to change, physical and mental incompetence