Policies for Active Aging and Their Family-Related Assumptions and Consequences

Abstract

Active aging-encouraging greater economic and social productivity of older adults-has become the dominant paradigm in public policies concerning older people in the Western world. This chapter identifies contradictions within the paradigm, and a failure to adequately situate it within the family lives of older people, drawing attention to the relational circumstances that shape opportunities to age actively. The chapter suggests that the active aging paradigm does not adequately recognize the intersections-and contradictions-between active aging policies, family policies, and national work/care regimes. The authors focus on the (lack of) alignment in aspirations pertaining to employment and ..