Gonyea J G
Boston University School of Social Work, MA 02215.
Soc Work. 1994 Jan;39(1):35-41.
The construction of social definitions is important, as these definitions are ultimately translated into public policies. This article explores the emergence of the concepts of the advantaged elder and the feminization of poverty. It is a paradox that society has simultaneously embraced these two concepts when the elderly population, especially the subpopulation of those who are very old, is overwhelmingly women. The theoretical shortcomings of both concepts are examined, and a broader model of economic well-being that emphasizes the interactive nature of gender, race, and class is proposed. The implications of societal perceptions of the advantaged elder and the feminization of poverty for older women are addressed.
社会定义的构建很重要，因为这些定义最终会转化为公共政策。本文探讨了优势老年群体概念的出现以及贫困女性化现象。矛盾的是，尽管老年人口，尤其是高龄老年人群体中女性占绝大多数，但社会却同时接纳了这两个概念。本文审视了这两个概念在理论上的缺陷，并提出了一个更广泛的经济福祉模型，该模型强调性别、种族和阶级的相互作用。文中还探讨了社会对优势老年群体的认知以及贫困女性化现象对老年女性的影响。
