Studying Aging and Social Change

Questioning the boundaries between self and society, change and stability, the author includes classic treatments on generations by Karl Mannheim and Norman Ryder and presents a new theoretical contribution that explores the meaning of 'aging' as a social process. Each of the six new essays develops a central theoretical concept, linking that concept to issues of research design and analysis. By re-examining the assumptions that underlie our approaches to the study of change, this volume provides key insights into how we can understand fundamental social processes such as: human development and socialization; the formation of public opinion and political identity; and the shaping of collective action and group behaviour.

RESEARCH a ND TEACHING INTERESTS

Quantitative Analysis Techniques, Longitudinal Methods; Aging & Social Change;
Public Policy and Aging.

Social Inequality, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. “Workforce aging in the new economy: A comparative study of information technology employment” (Julie A. Mc Mullin, PI; Victor Marshall, Joann Marshall, University of North Carolina; Neil Charness, Florida State University). October 2002 – September 2006.

Work and Retirement, including the influence of organizational incentives, pensions, family decision-making, health, job satisfaction; Public Policy, including Social Security, the Age Discrimination and Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Medicare and Medicaid; Political Attitudes, including analysis of social change and individual aging; Women’s Issues and Aging, including poverty and financial security, caregiving, long-term care, intergenerational assistance, and health; Cognitive Components of Saving and Investment behavior, including planning horizon, discounting, risk tolerance, deferred gratification; Older Workers, including training, displacement, work schedules, job demands, organizational incentive structures.