LETTERS

Mandatory retirement archaic

EDITOR: The notion of retirement is already an archaic one. The transition from sharply demarcated roles based upon chronological age has already been made, but we chafe at the changes in regimen which such a movement has brought in its wake. A number of alterations in western society account for this decided, though subtle shift. Attention to these fundamental societal changes puts the entire retirement issue in proper focus:

1.  Increase in life expectancy; better health in old age; continuing growth of the elderly population; zero population growth and reduced immigration which has lowered the numbers of younger workers;

2.  Continued responsibilities, including financial, of persons 65+ for aging parents and/ or aging children (a refilling of the "empty nest," with four-generation families becoming common); increase of divorce rate in later life, forcing women to look for work as their husbands no longer provide for them;

3.  Increased articulation of the problems faced by older persons themselves (no longer a silent minority); older women returning to the work force determined to redress the inequity of lack of career and employment opportunities when they were young; increased educational opportunities for older individuals (the "graying" of the university);

4.  Increased research findings which demonstrate the equality and, on occasion, superiority of an experienced mature employee, findings which also show that negative stereotyping of older persons is baseless; examples in other industrialized nations (Soviet Union) that veteran workers — not retirees — can successfully engage in three different work careers in a lifetime; increased attention to job profile and demands and the desirability of variation of work roles (mid-career changes); increased evidence of the relationship between mental and physical states demonstrating that maintaining employment opportunities throughout the lifespan can cut down on health costs.

Arguments for and against mandatory retirement are as practical as arguments about how many witches can dance on the point of a needle.

   Gari Lesnoff-Caravaglia, Ph.D.
   Gerontology Program
   Sangamon State University, Springfield

November 1979/ Illinois Issues/17