Introduction

The main aim of this chapter is to examine the implications of population ageing for relations between the generations. In line with Chapter Four of this volume, our main focus is on intergenerational caring relationships between kin rather than the macro-social contract on which the funding of pensions and health and social care are based. However, a key theme of this chapter is that, what society does by way of social policy has a critical bearing on the nature and experience of generational relations. In other words, a sharp distinction between micro-level interpersonal relations and macro-social and economic policy is misleading. Similarly what Mannheim (1952) called the ‘problem of generations’ or the popular press call ‘generational war’ should not be viewed as purely intrinsic qualities of generations in isolation from their social and economic context (Walker, 1996).

With these caveats in mind, this chapter covers three topics. First of all, changing demography and the key policy challenges it raises and, particularly, the implications for care needs. We then discuss the nature of the social contract in Britain and, finally, how and why intergenerational relations are changing.

Policy issues facing an ageing society

As a result of the combination of declining fertility and increasing longevity, Britain is ageing, although the pace of this change differs between regions. Between 1951 and 1991 the numbers aged 65+ increased by 66% while those aged 85+ rose by 300%. Over the next 50 years the proportion of people aged 65+ will rise from nearly 16% to nearly 25%. The most intense rate of growth is among very old people (and 80+) and their numbers will rise by 10% between 2000 and 2005 alone.

Britain shares population ageing with other EU countries and, like them, several regions saw their populations stop growing before the end of the last century. By 2015 this will apply to a majority of regions. Other EU countries are experiencing a more rapid ageing of their populations than Britain. For example, between 2000 and 2005 the increase in numbers aged 80+ will be above 25% in Belgium and France, and almost as much in Italy and Austria. The average increase in the EU will be 18.6%. The Eastern European countries are also experiencing demographic ageing. All of them, except Poland, will see a decline in the total population (and that of working age) before 2010.