What Do Older Women Want?

Abstract

This chapter is concerned the needs of older women, the context in which these occur and the social policy agenda for them. It contrasts a social policy perspective which defines older women in negative terms, with one which also recognises their full potential as active citizens and contributors to the households and communities in which they live. The chapter starts by examining some of the basic demographic factors which highlight the gendered nature of later life. There are more older women than men, they are more likely to be widowed and to live alone, and they are more likely to live to an older age when issues of chronic illness, disability and dependency upon state services occur. Yet, paradoxically, when asked what they want, older women seek independence and autonomy, and, especially compared to men of the same age, have a history of being resilient survivors, with an ability to adjust to new circumstances. The chapter concludes that our understanding of the position of older women must be located within a life course perspective; that many of the issues concerning their relative poverty, social isolation, housing circumstances and health are a product of their earlier experiences of the labour and housing markets and marriage and family life. It further suggests that, rather than seeing older women merely as the sources of social policy problems, positive aspects of their lives should be highlighted, as should their potential for making active contributions to both their own and other people’s welfare.