Ageing and Social Change in Australia

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide a constructive understanding of social change and ageing in Australia. It presents a history of ideas and evidence on ageing in order to reveal the societal context that has shaped successive cohorts reaching later life. Contemporary commentators are reviewed to show evolving ways in which ageing has been conceptualised and ‘problematised’, thus shaping as well as reflecting expectations and interests concerning ageing and older people. The history provides a backdrop to the policy and social context for issues considered in later chapters and influences the scope for constructive change. Show more