Chapter 8 is an informative chapter. Not just for what
to do for clients but for myself as well. Hillier & Barrow (2011), starts
the chapter with the concept of retirement. The social definition of retirement
has changed in the past few decades. For Archley (1976) retirement is an event
that occurs when a person definitely stops working and withdraws from the
formal labor market. In this chapter, retirement is seen from the perspective
from a social institution: it is a person’s definitive economic inactivity,
with income from work replaced by income established for support after
employment ends. Retirement is also a stage in the life course, with a set of
social rules and with special social meaning (pg 202). More and more employers are encouraging
employees to retire before age 65. According to Hillier & Barrow (2011),
some early retirement incentives are offers that older American workers cannot
refuse, and many older workers are wondering whether they are being subjected
to disguised early retirement discrimination. The text discusses discrimination
in employment, age discrimination in the job search, on-the-job discrimination
and ageism in layoffs, and myths about the older worker. Once again there are
negative stereotypes of the elderly as the older worker. The older worker is
thought to be accident- or illness-prone, to have a high absenteeism rate, to
have a slow reaction time, and to possess faulty judgment. Stereotypes
contribute greatly to on-the-job discrimination (Pg 220). The text gives great
insight on the subjects of full-time & part-time work opportunities,
retraining and even discusses leisure opportunities. This information will
always be useful to social workers and in informing the clients.
Hillier, S., & Barrow, G.
(2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28). California:
WADSWORTH.
I found this chapter interesting too. It gave retirement a different look for me and allowed me to really understand what people at that age are going through. I also like how this chapter talked about senior centers and all the activities that many include at their centers. It made me excited to grow old, not that I am in a hurry, but it made it seem even more enjoyable. It also made me realize how good part time jobs can be for the elderly. Many elders may seem bored and lonely, but a part time job seems like the perfect way for them to get out there and interact with others and give them a change of scenery. This is something that can also keep them active and up on their feet. I truly did enjoy this chapter as much as you did!
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