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The Social Construction of Retirement and Evolving Policy Discourse of Working Longer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 November 2015

PHILIP TAYLOR  and
CATHERINE EARL
PHILIP TAYLOR
Affiliation:
Federation Business School, Federation University Australia, PO Box 3191, Gippsland Mail Centre, VIC 3841, Australia email: [email protected]
CATHERINE EARL
Affiliation:
Estonian Institute of Humanities, Tallinn University; Research Fellow, Federation Business School, Federation University Australia, PO Box 3191, Gippsland Mail Centre, VIC 3841, Australia email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This article is concerned with the evolving social construction of older workers and retirement. Evolving and competing ‘world-views’ from public policy, and social advocacy of productive and vulnerable older workers, are described and critiqued. Contradictions and disjunctions, in terms of public policies aimed at changing employer behaviour towards older workers, are identified. It is argued that present representations of older workers have serious flaws that provide a weak basis for policy development and may not only undermine the prospects for overcoming prejudicial societal attitudes but may in fact strengthen them. It is further argued that sheltering older workers in employment placements will inevitably limit the extent and nature of their participation. Instead, the mainstreaming of their employment is justified, bearing in mind negative attitudes towards ageing.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 45 , Issue 2 , April 2016 , pp. 251 - 268
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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