Ages, generations and the social contract : the demographic challenges facing the welfare state / edited by Jacques Véron, Sophie Pennec, Jacques Légaré.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Véron, Jacques.

Pennec, Sophie.

Légaré, Jacques, 1938-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Welfare state.

Population aging--Economic aspects.

Population aging.

Social contract.

Physical Description:

xv, 390 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Dordrecht : Springer, 2007.

Summary:

Our societies are ageing. The Family is changing. Labour force behaviour is evolving. How is the organisation of family and collective solidarity adapting in this context of longer life spans, low fertility, and work that is simultaneously scarce and abundant? The welfare states are currently facing three main challenges: ensure satisfactory living conditions for the elderly without increasing the cost burden on the active population, reduce social inequality, and maintain equity between successive generations. In this book, researchers from different countries compare their experiences and offer contrasting views on the future of social protection. They consider the theoretical aspects of the intergenerational debate, relations between generations within the family, the living standards of elderly people, and the question of social time.

Contents:

Part I Changing Background of Intergenerational Relationships 15

1 Demographic Change, Welfare, and Intergenerational Transfers: A Global Overview / Ronald D. Lee 17

2 Demographic Context of the Social Contract in Developed Countries: Unity and Diversity / Jacques Veron, Sophie Pennec 45

Part II Generations, Social Contract and Labour Force Participation: Theoretical and Empirical Issues 59

3 Economics of the Intergenerational Debate: Normative, Accounting and Political Viewpoints / Andre Masson 61

4 Reorganizing the Activity Cycle: The Stakes in a New Social Contract / Bernard Perret 105

5 Social Contract and Age at Retirement: Some Elements of a Franco-American Comparison / Patrick Aubert, Didier Blanchet, David Blau 115

6 Longevity and Work / Pierre Pestieau 155

Part III Family and Relationships Between Generations 167

7 Changes to the Legal Relationship Between Grandparents and Grandchildren in Quebec: A Disconcerting Evolution / Renee Joyal 169

8 Demographic Change and the Social Contract of Informal Support Within the Family / Jenny de Jong Gierveld 177

9 Change and Reciprocity in Intergenerational Relationships: The Discourse of Spanish Working Mothers / Constanza Tobio 191

10 Intergenerational Exchanges in Older Populations / Emily Grundy 209

11 Family Solidarities at the Beginning of Retirement in France / Christiane Delbes, Joelle Gaymu 231

Part IV Redistribution and Intergenerational Equity 259

12 Pensions and Income Redistribution in a Comparative Perspective: Evidence from the Luxembourg Income Study / Christina Behrendt 261

13 Social Spending: Recent Changes and Conditions for its Long-Term Viability / Herve Gauthier 279

14 Pensions, Privilege and Poverty: Another "Take" on Intergenerational Equity / Susan A. McDaniel 301

Part V Social Time 323

15 Toward a 24-Hour Economy: Implications for the Temporal Structure and Functioning of Family Life / Harriet B. Presser 325

16 Working Schedules: In Search of a Balance Between Family Time and Economic Wellbeing / Evelyne Lapierre-Adamcyk, Nicole Marcil-Gratton, Celine Le Bourdais 343

17 Determinants of Paths of Transition to Total-Work Retirement: A Preliminary Empirical Analysis / Leroy O. Stone 357

Concluding Remarks. Beyond Mechanicism: Norms and Values / Jacques Veron, Sophie Pennec 377.

Notes:

Including bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9781402059728

1402059728

OCLC:

85898099