Later life : a sociological analysis and a gender perspective

Abstract

This study aims to look at the quality of life of older persons. A sociological analysis of aspects in later life such as retirement and ageism are discussed with a gendered focus to highlight any inequalities or differences which might exists between sexes. As population grows older, an age imbalance between the sexes increase making women outlive men by a number of years, creating the feminisation of later life. This requires different social services and care. While men in general are cared for informally by the wife, women will need institutional and formal care because of longevity and widowhood. Due to social factors such as gender and social stratification older women tend to suffer poverty much more than men. Because of the low percentage of Maltese females in the labour market, many women depend on their husband's pension or the welfare services for a living in later life. Ageism feeds on myths and the stereotypical negative attitudes towards senior citizens still persists in a society that sees the older persons as non contributing recipients of various health and social services. The qualitative interviews conducted in this study, showed that many older persons are independent, with only a small percentage of the elderly being too frail and in need of constant care.