A sociological perspective on the “challenge” of the crisis and austerity among older adults

Authors

  • Patricia Coelho Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
  • José de São José Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais (CICS.NOVA), Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas (NOVA FCSH)
  • João Eduardo Martins Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal; Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais (CICS.NOVA), Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas (NOVA FCSH)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7458/SPP202310125474

Keywords:

crisis/austerity, older people, family practices, “challenge”

Abstract

The economic crisis has led to austerity in Portugal and in the European Union. This article conceptualizes the crisis and austerity as a “challenge” and reveals how it was manifested in the lives of older people. Very little is known about this topic, including in Portugal. Our study used a biographical/narrative approach and carried out 28 interviews with Portuguese older adults (65 years or more) living in Faro municipality. It concluded that the “challenge” is manifested by a contradiction between the lived old age and the expected/idealized old age, whose features vary according to sociological profiles.

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Published

2023-03-21

Issue

No. 101 (2023)

Section

Artigos

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