Aging & Social Change: Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

This paper considers the concept of active ageing from the perspective of relational sociology. Active ageing is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. Ageing occurs in a relational network (the family, society), with a whole range of reciprocal mutual interactions (support, care, etc.). Starting from an operationalization of the relational components of the active ageing process, were considered data collected for the Italian survey “I’m Not Retiring: The Lengthening of Life, a Challenge for the Generations, an Opportunity for Society” (N=900). The focus is on a sub-sample of older adults active in various relational networks, such as their families, (grandparents actively looking after their grandchildren; seniors caring for old people, over seventy-five) and seniors engaged in voluntary work. In particular, we investigated the circuit of reciprocity. The empirical evidence suggest a positive association between helping the members of one’s own network and well being. By embracing a intergenerational lens it was possible to grasp the differentiation that characterizes the ageing process, the transformations and standstills of individuals, as well as different orientations and ideas that facilitate or hinder the path to active ageing.