Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-20T04:19:17.983Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Social inclusion in an ageing world: introduction to the special issue

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2012

JENI WARBURTON ,
SIK HUNG NG  and
STEVEN M. SHARDLOW
JENI WARBURTON*
Affiliation:
John Richards Initiative, La Trobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia.
SIK HUNG NG
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
STEVEN M. SHARDLOW
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, The University of Salford, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Jeni Warburton, John Richards Initiative, La Trobe University, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia. E-mail: J.Warburton@latrobe.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper provides an introduction to a special issue focusing on diverse examples of policy practice in social inclusion and ageing across different regions of the world. These examples illustrate the multifaceted nature of the concept of social inclusion, and how it is applied in the context of global demographic ageing. The paper begins with an exploration of the history and development of the concept of social inclusion, as applied to ageing policy, and how the concept has emerged following its initial association with economic disadvantage. Now commonly defined as relating to social participation in key activities of the society in which people live, a social inclusionary approach highlights the risks of social exclusion and isolation faced by older people. Social inclusion thus incorporates core issues in ageing such as civil engagement, an ageing workforce, age-friendly communities, and civic involvement. There are some particular challenges to implementing social inclusion policies within the current environment, which are addressed within this special issue, and these include the impact of social and cultural change, particularly across some of the East Asian countries, and the impact of global financial crises on work and retirement.

Keywords

social inclusionolder peopleageing policysocial participationintergenerationalglobal
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 33 , Issue 1: Ageing and Social Inclusion/Exclusion , January 2013 , pp. 1 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andrews, G., Milligan, C., Phillips, D. and Skinner, M. 2009. Geographical gerontology: mapping a disciplinary intersection. Geography Compass, 3, 5, 1641–59.Google Scholar
Askonas, P. and Stewart, A. (eds) 2000. Social Inclusion: Possibilities and Tensions. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK.Google Scholar
Atchley, R. C. 1999. Continuity and Adaptation in Aging: Creating Positive Experiences. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barnes, M., Blom, A., Cox, K., Lessof, C. and Walker, A. 2006. The Social Exclusion of Older People: Evidence from the First Wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: Final Report. National Centre for Social Research, University of Sheffield, UK.Google Scholar
Barrett, P., Hale, B. and Gauld, R. 2012. Social inclusion through ageing-in-place with care? Ageing & Society, 32, 3, 361–378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barry, B. 2002. Social exclusion, social isolation and the distribution of income. In Hills, J., Le Grand, J. and Piachaud, D. (eds), Understanding Social Exclusion. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 13–29.Google Scholar
Béland, D. 2007. The social exclusion discourse: ideas and policy change. Policy and Politics, 35, 1, 123–39.Google Scholar
Berkel, R. V. and Møller, I. H. (eds) 2002. Active Social Policies in the EU: Inclusion Through Participation? Policy Press, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Boushey, H., Branosky, N., Fremstad, S., Gragg, R. and Waller, M. 2007. Social Inclusion for the United States. Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Brooke, L. and Taylor, P. 2005. Older workers and employment: managing age relations. Ageing & Society, 25, 3, 415–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burchardt, T., Le Grand, J. and Piachaud, D. 2002. Degrees of exclusion: developing a dynamic, multidimensional measure. In Hills, J., Grand, Le, J. and Piachaud, D. (eds), Understanding Social Exclusion. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 30–43.Google Scholar
Burgess, E. 1960. Aging in Western Societies. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Byrne, D. 2005. Social Exclusion. Second edition, Open University Press, Maidenhead, UK.Google Scholar
Doling, J., Finer, C. J. and Maltby, T. 2005. Lessons to be learnt. In Doling, J., Finer, C. J. and Maltby, T. (eds), Ageing Matters: European Policy Lessons from the East. Aldershot, UK, 187–96.Google Scholar
Du, P. and Guo, Z. 2000. Population ageing in China. In Phillips, D. R. (ed.), Ageing in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Policies and Future Trends. Routledge, London, 194–209.Google Scholar
Duncan, C. 2008. The dangers and limitations of equality agendas as means for tackling old-age prejudice. Ageing & Society, 28, 1, 133–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Erikson, E. H. 1963. Childhood and Society. Second edition, Norton, New York.Google Scholar
Guildford, J. 2000. Making the Case for Social and Economic Inclusion. Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada, Halifax, Canada.Google Scholar
Hoff, A. 2008. Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion of Older People – Lessons from Europe. Oxford Institute of Ageing Working Papers, October. Available online at http://www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/system/files/Working%20Paper%20308.pdf [Accessed 18 September 2011].Google Scholar
Kurzban, R. and Leary, M. R. 2001. Evolutionary origins of stigmatization: the functions of social exclusion. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 2, 187–208.Google Scholar
Li, B. 2004. Urban social exclusion in transitional China. CASE Paper 82, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, London School of Economics, London.Google Scholar
Liu, J. H., Ng, S. H., Weatherall, A. and Loong, C. S. F. 2000. Filial piety, acculturation, and inter-generational communication among New Zealand Chinese. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 22, 3, 213–23.Google Scholar
Lui, C.-L., Warburton, J., Winterton, R. and Bartlett, H. 2011. Critical reflections on a social inclusion approach for an ageing Australia. Australian Social Work, 64, 3, 266–82.Google Scholar
Lui, C.-L., Everingham, J., Warburton, J., Cuthill, M. and Bartlett, H. 2009. What makes a community age-friendly? A review of international literature. Australasian Journal of Ageing, 28, 3, 116–21.Google Scholar
McBride, A. M. 2006. Civic engagement, older adults and inclusion. Generations, 30, 4, 66–71.Google Scholar
McCord, A. 2010. The impact of the global financial crisis on social protection in developing countries. International Social Security Review, 63, 2, 31–45.Google Scholar
McDevitt, S. 2003. Social exclusion in the European Union: an organized focus for social policy-making. Social Policy Journal, 2, 4, 3–18.Google Scholar
Moffatt, S. and Glasgow, N. 2009. How useful is the concept of social exclusion when applied to rural older people in the United Kingdom and the United States. Regional Studies, 43, 10, 1291–303.Google Scholar
Moffatt, S. and Scambler, G. 2008. Can welfare-rights advice targeted at older people reduce social exclusion? Ageing & Society, 28, 875–99.Google Scholar
Nelson, T. D. (ed.) 2004. Ageism: Stereotyping and Prejudice Against Older Persons. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Nelson, T. D. 2005. Ageism: prejudice against our feared future self. Journal of Social Issues, 61, 2, 207–21.Google Scholar
Neugarten, B. L. 1974. Age groups in American society and the rise of the young-old. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 415, 1, 187–98.Google Scholar
Ng, S. H. 1998. Social psychology in an ageing world: Ageism and intergenerational relations. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 1, 1, 99–116.Google Scholar
Ng, S. H., Cheung, J. C. K., Chong, A. M. L., Woo, J., Kwan, A. Y. H. and Lai, S. 2011. Aging well socially through engagement with life: a cross-cultural extension of Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 73, 4, 313–30.Google Scholar
Ng, S. H., Liu, J. H., Weatherall, A. and Loong, C. S. F. 1998. Inter-generational relationships in the Chinese community. In Ng, S. H., Weatherall, A., Liu, J. H. and Loong, C. S. F. (eds), Ages Ahead: Promoting Inter-generational Relationships. Victoria University Press, Wellington, 85–104.Google Scholar
Ng, S. H. and McCreanor, T. 1999. Patterns in discourse about elderly people in New Zealand. Journal of Aging Studies, 13, 4, 473–89.Google Scholar
Ogg, J. 2005. Social exclusion and insecurity among older Europeans: the influence of welfare regimes. Ageing & Society, 25, 1, 69–90.Google Scholar
Pantazis, C., Gordon, D. and Levitas, R. (eds) 2006. Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain: The Millennium Survey. Policy Press, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Peace, S., Holland, C. and Kellaher, L. 2006. Environment and Identity in Later Life. Open University Press, Maidenhead, UK.Google Scholar
Phillipson, C. and Scharf, T. 2004. The Impact of Government Policy on Social Exclusion Among Older People. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London.Google Scholar
Rowe, J. W. and Kahn, R. L. 1998. Successful Aging. Pantheon Books, New York.Google Scholar
Scharf, T., Phillipson, C. and Smith, A. E. 2005. Social exclusion of older people in deprived urban communities of England. European Journal on Ageing, 2, 2, 76–87.Google Scholar
Scharf, T., Phillipson, C. and Smith, A. 2007. Aging in a difficult place: assessing the impact of urban deprivation on older people. In Wahl, H.-W., Tesch-Romer, C. and Hoff, A. (eds), New Dynamics in Old Age: Individual, Environmental and Societal Perspectives. Baywood Publishing, New York, 153–73.Google Scholar
Silver, H. 1994. Social exclusion and social solidarity: three paradigms. International Labour Review, 133, 5/6, 531–78.Google Scholar
Silver, H. and Miller, S. M. 2002. Social exclusion: the European approach to social disadvantage. Poverty and Society, 11, 5, 1–8.Google Scholar
Snyder, M., Omoto, A. M. and Lindsay, J. J. 2004. Sacrificing time and effort for the good of others: the benefits and costs of volunteerism. In Miller, A. G. (ed.), The Social Psychology of Good and Evil. Guildford Press, New York, 416–43.Google Scholar
Social Exclusion Unit 2006. A Sure Start to Later Life: Ending Inequalities for Older People. Social Exclusion Unit, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London.Google Scholar
Spandler, H. 2007. From social exclusion to inclusion? A critique of the inclusion imperative in mental health. Medical Sociology Online, 2, 2, 3–16.Google Scholar
Townsend, P. 1957. The Family Life of Old People: An Inquiry in East London. Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.Google Scholar
Townsend, P. 1981. The structured dependency of the elderly: a creation of social policy in the twentieth century. Ageing & Society, 1, 1, 5–28.Google Scholar
United Nations 1991. Principles for older people. Available at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/olderpersons.htm [Accessed 31 August 2012].Google Scholar
Victor, C. R. 1987. Old Age in Modern Society: A Textbook of Social Gerontology. Croom Helm, Beckenham, UK.Google Scholar
Victor, C., Scambler, S. and Bond, J. 2008. The Social World of Older People: Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation in Later Life. Open University Press, Maidenhead, UK.Google Scholar
Wahl, H. and Weisman, G. 2003. Environmental gerontology at the beginning of the new millennium: reflections on its historical, empirical and theoretical development. Gerontologist, 43, 5, 616–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walker, A. 2002. A strategy for active ageing. International Social Security Review, 5, 1, 121–39.Google Scholar
Walker, A. 2009. The emergence and application of active aging in Europe. Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21, 1, 75–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walker, A. and Walker, C. (eds) 1997. Britain Divided. Child Poverty Action Group, London.Google Scholar
Warburton, J. and Jeppsson Grassman, E. 2011. Variations in older people's social and productive ageing activities across different social welfare regimes. International Journal of Social Welfare, 20, 2, 180–191.Google Scholar
Warburton, J. and McDonald, C. 2009. The challenges of the new institutional environment: older volunteers in the contemporary non-profit sector in Australia. Ageing & Society, 29, 823–40.Google Scholar
Warburton, J. and McLaughlin, D. 2005. Lots of little kindnesses: valuing the role of older Australians as informal volunteers in the community. Ageing & Society, 25, 715–30.Google Scholar
Warburton, J. and Winterton, R. 2010. The role of volunteering in an era of cultural transition: can it provide a role identity for older people from Asian cultures? Diversity, 2, 1048–58.Google Scholar
Wiles, J., Allen, R., Palmer, A., Hayman, K., Keeling, S. and Kerse, N. 2009. Older people and their social spaces: a study of well-being and attachment to place in Aotearoa New Zealand. Social Science and Medicine, 68, 4, 664–71.Google Scholar
Winterton, R. and Warburton, J. 2012 Ageing in the bush: the role of rural places in maintaining identity for long term rural residents and retirement migrants in north-east Victoria, Australia. Journal of Rural Studies, submitted.Google Scholar
World Health Organisation 2002. Active Ageing: A Policy Framework. Available at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/who_nmh_nph_02.8.pdf [Accessed 31 August 2012].Google Scholar