Abstract
The perception of aging and more specifically, loneliness, as social problems has emerged in tandem with what is colloquially known as the graying of America. In response to a changing demographic composition of our population in which people are living longer and are in greater need of medical and social services, a perception of the American aged as an economic and social burden has developed. One could argue that aging was recognized “officially” as a social problem when Congress passed the Older Americans Act in 1965 and established the Administration on Aging to provide health care services, adequate housing, (supplemental) income, and the opportunity for employment without discrimination for the elderly. However, social problems become social problems largely by their definition as such by the dominant forces in a society (Estes, 1979; Levin & Levin, 1980).
Older people have demonstrated their ability to cope and survive. Nevertheless, many have been discarded in this technological age and alienated from themselves and society at large.... We are against agism (sic) that forces any group to live roles that are defined purely on the basis of age.
— The Gray Panthers, Statement of Principles
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Revenson, T.A. (1986). Debunking the Myth of Loneliness in Late Life. In: Seidman, E., Rappaport, J. (eds) Redefining Social Problems. Perspectives in Social Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2236-6_8
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