Aging in precarious times: Exploring the role of gender in shaping views on aging

ABSTRACT

The present study explores views on aging and how these differ according to gender and precariousness status. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 men and 10 women with secure and insecure pensions. Themes like fear of illness and health decline were more present in men, while fear of losing their attractiveness in old age more present among women. For all participants, loss of autonomy and social roles represented a negative view of old age, while activity in the form of work, volunteering, or leisure represented positive views. Differences in views on aging were related to pension security and less to gender. Women with insecure pension plans displayed the most negative views of aging. Implications for practice and policy to prevent health and gender inequalities are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• gender
• precariousness
• qualitative research
• views on aging
• women

Funding

We thank the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for supporting the first author of this study for conducting the current research.

Additional information

Funding

We thank the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for supporting the first author of this study for conducting the current research.