Age Vitality: Perceptions of Young Canadian, Turkish and Georgian Urban and Rural Adults

Abstract

This study extends previous research on age-group vitality around the Pacific Rim by examining the perceptions of urban and rural respondents from Turkey, Canada and the nation of Georgia towards young, middle-aged, and older adults. As in prior research, middle-aged targets were accorded the highest vitality, and a new age-vitality profile was associated with Georgian rural informants. Some urban-rural differences in vitality ratings emerged, and Canadians rated the vitality of older people highest. Across the three countries, Georgian respondents rated young vitality the highest and older adult vitality the lowest. The findings are discussed in terms of dimensions of social change.

Keywords:

• AGE
• GROUP VITALITY
• RURAL DIFFERENCES
• GEORGIAN REPUBLIC
• TURKEY
• CANADA