Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity in Europe: A Conceptual Reappraisal from a Critical Perspective

Abstract

Through a critical overview of the mainly individualistic and productivity-centered concept of active aging developed by the World Health Organization and some European Union institutions, it is argued that, far from being fostered, intergenerational solidarity could be endangered since its relational nature is being normatively constrained. The authors recommend that both the World Health Organization and European Union approaches need reconsideration and critical analysis to prevent them from undermining intergenerational solidarity. Consequently, five axioms to articulate theoretical rethinking around intergenerational solidarity and active aging are presented and a relational and ambivalent approach to intergenerational relationships is recommended.

Keywords:

• active aging
• intergenerational solidarity
• intergenerational relationships
• critical perspective

Notes

Editors' note: The editors thank Mariano Sánchez and Alan Hatton-Yeo for their contribution of this invited paper for volume 10, issue 3.