La feminització de la vellesa

Abstract

This article argues that the transformation of the population dynamics, the so-called demographic transition, has trigged off not only changes in the population structure but also major changes with regard to traditional gender roles. Both changes are closely related. The increase in the weight of the aged population and the expansion of the lager survival up to mature ages, opens new possibilities of family and social organisation as well as new designs of the individual life cycle. As a result, it is argued that the traditional sexual division of labour is undermined. Age is becoming the most important factor that determines the organisation of labour. The article shows that young and adult individuals, regardless of gender, tend to behave according to traditional male roles. On the contrary, aged individuals tend to have rather traditional female roles. These trends define the process towards the feminisation of aged population.