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Questioning the boundaries between self and society, change and stability, the author includes classic treatments on generations by Karl Mannheim and Norman Ryder and presents a new theoretical contribution that explores the meaning of `aging' as a social process. Each of the six new essays develops a central theoretical concept, linking that concept to issues of research design and analysis. By re-examining the assumptions that underlie our approaches to the study of change, this volume provides key insights into how we can understand fundamental social processes such as: human development and socialization; the formation of public opinion and political identity; and the shaping of collective action and group behaviour.
List of contents
Doing Time - Melissa A Hardy and Linda Waite
Reconciling Biography with History in the Study of Social Change
The Problem of Generations - K Mannheim
The Cohort as a Concept in the Study of Social Change - Norman B Ryder
On the Importance of Age - Lawrence Hazelrigg
Beyond Trajectories - Eliza K Pavalko
Multiple Concepts for Analyzing Long-Term Process
Using Repeated Surveys To Study Aging and Social Change - Glenn Firebaugh and Dana L Haynie
Aging, Social Change and Conservatism - Duane F Alwin
The Link between Historical and Biographical Time in the Study of Political Identities
Establishing a Reference Frame against Which To Chart Age-Related Changes - John R Nesselroade and David L Featherman
About the author
RESEARCH aND TEACHING INTERESTS
Quantitative Analysis Techniques, Longitudinal Methods; Aging & Social Change;
Public Policy and Aging.
Social Inequality, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. “Workforce aging in the new economy: A comparative study of information technology employment” (Julie A. McMullin, PI; Victor Marshall, Joann Marshall, University of North Carolina; Neil Charness, Florida State University). October 2002 – September 2006.
Work and Retirement, including the influence of organizational incentives, pensions, family decision-making, health, job satisfaction; Public Policy, including Social Security, the Age Discrimination and Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Medicare and Medicaid; Political Attitudes, including analysis of social change and individual aging; Women’s Issues and Aging, including poverty and financial security, caregiving, long-term care, intergenerational assistance, and health; Cognitive Components of Saving and Investment behavior, including planning horizon, discounting, risk tolerance, deferred gratification; Older Workers, including training, displacement, work schedules, job demands, organizational incentive structures.
Summary
This work develops fresh theoretical concepts to explore ageing as a social process. The contributions link the theoretical concepts to issues of research design and analysis, and provide insights into how we can understand fundamental social processes such as human development and socialization.
