Beyond money and survival: the meaning of paid work among older women.
This article explores the meaning and experiences of paid work for older women. Taped, in-person interviews were conducted with 53 ethnically and economically diverse women, 55 to 84 years old. The interview guide contained open-ended questions regarding the meaning of work, reasons for working, and the centrality of work to personal identity. Participants discussed the following topics: independence from men; lost dreams and regrets related to paid work and educational opportunities; being responded to as mother by co-workers and supervisors; and working above and beyond the call of duty.
Altschuler
Joanne
J
School of Social Work, California State University, Los Angeles 90032, USA.
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D015141:Los Angeles; D008875:Middle Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013637:Tape Recording; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*