Miriam Bernard and Thomas Scharf (eds.) (2007). Critical Perspectives on Ageing Societies. Bristol: The Policy Press, Ageing and the Lifecourse Series, 200 pp. ISBN 978-1-86134-890-6 (paperback)

Abstract

The first in a new series of Ageing and the Life Course texts by Policy Press, Critical Perspectives on Ageing Societies, edited by Miriam Bernard and Tom Scharf, brings together some of the leading experts in the field of gerontology from Britain and North America to consider how the current context of critical gerontology has developed over the last 25 years and discuss the future challenges it faces. In the foreword, Chris Phillipson reminds us how, with its roots in political economy, feminist and humanist foundations, critical gerontology has brought a greater appreciation of the links between ageing and cultural and economic characteristics in later life and the impact of social policy. He continues that this was particularly important during the Thatcherite regime with the emergence of ‘‘an ideologically driven critique of demographic change, with the labelling of older people as a ‘burden’ and ‘cost’ to society’’ (p. vii). This was combined with a reduction in the quality and scope of services. These debates still continue to permeate social policy (and wider society) with concerns about increasing longevity, rising pension deficits and a potential ‘demographic time bomb’. It is within this context that critical gerontology has so much