Working Lives of Men Aged 60 and Older

Abstract

Focuses on the working lives of the old cohort (25 men aged 60–87), examining their work stories on the basis of three principal narrative that were identified: work as work, care and creativity, and social or political change. Those whose work histories were explained by work as work regarded work as something they did and had to do. They had no illusions about it, expected nothing from it by way of personal improvement or meaning. Care and creativity encompassed work histories of men involved in caring occupations such as nursing or counselling and creative work such as in the arts or craft movement. Social or political change represented the work histories of a small group who understood a secondary purpose in their work, which was to assist progress towards a more egalitarian society. Included in this chapter is a section on the effect of their sexuality on the working life of three men. Two remained closeted because they feared the consequences if their sexuality were made public. A third, who worked in entertainment, a field where gay men were accepted, if not vital for its functioning, experienced no ill effects because of his sexuality.