First published 1978
David Hackett Fischer examines how Americans have viewed and treated their elderly citizens across three distinct centuries. The author compares social realities with prevailing attitudes during the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s, revealing dramatic shifts in how each era approached aging. Fischer documents the transformation from colonial reverence for elders to modern youth obsession, analyzing the economic and cultural forces behind these changes. He scrutinizes contemporary support systems including pensions, social security, and medicare programs, finding them severely lacking. The book concludes by proposing concrete reforms to address current shortcomings in elder care and financial security for aging Americans.
Genres: 20th-century, american, sociology, 21st-century
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-perspective, social-commentary
Setting: America
Period: 1700s, 1800s, 1900s
304 pages · Paperback · Oxford University Press