Policy Press

Precarity and Ageing

Understanding Insecurity and Risk in Later Life

Edited by Amanda Grenier, Chris Phillipson and Richard A. Settersten Jr

Published

Jul 14, 2021

Page count

272 pages

Browse the series

Ageing in a Global Context

ISBN

978-1447340867

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 15, 2020

Page count

272 pages

Browse the series

Ageing in a Global Context

ISBN

978-1447340850

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 15, 2020

Page count

272 pages

Browse the series

Ageing in a Global Context

ISBN

978-1447340881

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 15, 2020

Page count

272 pages

Browse the series

Ageing in a Global Context

ISBN

978-1447340881

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Precarity and Ageing

What risks and insecurities do older people face in a time of both increased longevity and widening inequality?

This edited collection develops an exciting new approach to understanding the changing cultural, economic and social circumstances facing different groups of older people. Exploring a range of topics, the chapters provide a critical review of the concept of precarity, highlighting the experiences of ageing that occur within the context of societal changes tied to declining social protection. Drawing together insights from leading voices across a range of disciplines, the book underscores the pressing need to address inequality across the life course and into later life.

“This book would be a helpful resource for gerontological social work students and gerontologists interested in learning about insecurity and risk in later life. In addition to the theoretical frameworks, the book raises interesting questions to rethink the social aspects of aging.” Journal of Gerontological Social Work

“This is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that provides an overview of what precarity is, its role in understanding ageing, and how precarity can be seen as a lens to think about the role of the state, political actions and social and medical responses.” Josie Tetley, Manchester Metropolitan University

Amanda Grenier is the Norman and Honey Schipper Chair in Gerontological Social Work at the University of Toronto.

Chris Phillipson is Professor of Sociology and Social Gerontology at the University of Manchester. He has published a number of general books in the field of ageing as well as a number of papers relating to inequality and social exclusion.

Richard A. Settersten Jr is the Barbara Knudson Endowed Chair and Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University.

Precarity and ageing: new perspectives for social gerontology ~ Amanda Grenier, Chris Phillipson and Richard A. Settersten Jr

PART I: Life course perspectives on precarity

How life course dynamics matter for precarity in later life ~ Richard A. Settersten Jr

Precarious life, human development and the life course: critical intersections ~ Stephen Katz

PART II: Precarity across situations

Rereading frailty through a lens of precarity: an explication of politics and the human condition of vulnerability ~ Amanda Grenier

Older workers and ontological precarity: between precarious employment, precarious welfare and precarious households ~ David Lain, Laura Airey, Wendy Loretto, Sarah Vickerstaff

Precarity, migration, and aging ~ Karen Kobayashi and Mushira Mohsin Khan

A framework to identify precarity in the social sciences: insights from qualitative research ~ Elena Portacolone

PART III: Austerity, care and social responses to precarity

Reconstructing dependency: precarity, precariousness and care in old age ~ Michael Fine

From precarious employment to precarious retirement: neoliberal health and long-term care in the United States ~ Larry Polivka and Baozhen Luo

Austerity and precarity: individual and collective agency in later life ~ Chris Phillipson;

Conclusion: precarity and ageing in the 21st century ~ Chris Phillipson, Amanda Grenier and Richard A. Settersten Jr