Cross-cultural perspectives on the concept of retirement: an analytic redefinition.
A cross-cultural valid analytic definition of retirement remains elusive in gerontology despite a long tradition of research on the topic. Inadequate attention has been paid to consistently defining the key concepts used to examine retirement and to specifying its occurrence in non-Western, non-industrial societies. This paper critically reviews basic cultural tenets in the notion of retirement, and proposes a more comparatively valid definition. It then proposes a three part comparative categorization by exploring retirement in contemporary Western nations and comparing it with retirement-like practices from a range of non-Western cultures including Thai, Chinese, Ladak, Fulani, Lusi and Aymara.
Luborsky
Mark R
MR
Institute of Gerontology, Professor of Anthropology and Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. mluborsky@worldnet.att.net
LeBlanc
Ian M
IM
D000368:Aged; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012179:Retirement