Chinese Journal of Sociology

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Institutional Roots of Ageism and Public Policy Reconstruction for the Elderly in China

Author: Wu Fan, Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University.   

  1. Author: Wu Fan, Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University.: 
  • Online:2011-09-20 Published:2011-09-20
  • Contact: Wu Fan, Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University. E-mail:laurelwu915@163.com
  • About author:Author: Wu Fan, Department of Social Work and Social Policy, Nankai University.
  • Supported by:

    The research was supported by National Social Sciences Fund Program: “Ageism in China and Social Adjustment Mechanism for InterGenerational Relations” (08CSH005).

Abstract:

Ageism originates from individual, societal, institutional, cultural and historical factors in different aspects. This study focused on the institutional roots of ageism and the structural properties of the institutional ageism against older adults. The content analysis produced a systematic evaluation of the public policies for the aging population in China. The study has found that getting social prejudice and discrimination against the elderly consolidated and rationalized in the form of institution is the institutional cause of ageism〖JP〗 against older adults. This directly restricts older adults’ access to equal resources and opportunities, therefore, public policies for the elderly should be reconstructed with social justice and equality to provide an institutional security for positive aging. 

Key words: institutional ageism,   social justice,    public policy,   active aging