Page 26 - IJPS-10-2

International Journal of
Population Studies Age-friendly cities and lifelong learning

understanding how cultural and social aspects underpin redundant and replaced in part by the advent of the third
much human behavior. Historically and culturally, age of creativity (Laslett, 1989). Yet even this view of aging
older age is conceptualized quite differently in varied is subject to critique, given that postmodern life is full
locations often associated with labor market conditions, of contradictions, tensions, and nuances of living where
government social policies (particularly on retirement), greater resilience is called for among seniors.
and life expectancy (Chui, 2012). In my experience, many Among many authors on this topic, Braun (2022)
East Asian societies, while having higher regard for elders has been prominent, especially in the Asia Pacific, in
due to the Confucian tradition, have accentuated that building on the WHO’s (2002) framework for active
“retirement” is expected by seniors in their 50s and 60s (e.g., aging. This framework has emphasized the three pillars of
the Golden Age Foundation in Hong Kong; the Seoul 50+ security, health, and participation. While acknowledging
Foundation in South Korea). In such contexts, expressive similarities to allied concepts such as healthy aging,
forms of learning are given prominence; instrumental successful aging, productive aging, and creative aging, Braun
education/training has a lesser priority (Hiemstra, 1976). argued for the distinctiveness of active aging linked to
This reflects a more passive form of aging – leisure rather social policies that support “the inclusion of older people
than work. Regions such as Taiwan are taking significant in education, employment, volunteering, civic, and cultural
steps to incorporate active aging in a lifelong learning activities” (2022, p. 15). Braun also explicitly stated that
framework to better balance expressive/instrumental lifelong learning is an essential component to older adults
activities (Findsen et al., 2022). to achieve their full potential and to foster age-friendly
Across the world, the reality of age discrimination takes environments.
hold, even when more age-friendly policies promulgated by
governments and in regions have been enforced. Of course, 1.3. Links with lifelong learning
the official retirement age is often a marker for employees Within the literature of adult education and lifelong
to leave or reduce work (Phillipson, 1998), while retirement learning, there are four main thematic strands to explain
may be legally unenforceable in some countries (e.g., New the purposes for learning throughout life (Findsen &
Zealand), often social pressure means that people beyond Formosa, 2011). These strands provide an underpinning
pension age of 65 may feel the need to conform to an early rationale for possible engagement for older adults in an
departure from paid work. Fortunately, retirement patterns age-friendly context.
are becoming more variable, at least in many Western
countries, so that both workers and employers can enjoy 1.3.1. The economic dimension
the benefits of continuity of work (Findsen, 2016). A more At a societal level, it is essential that a nation uses the
“age-friendly” workforce is one where organizations as full talents of its citizens to be financially productive.
employers can help older workers to thrive, with supports Individuals, especially older people, as workers need to
such as appropriate training and development (Beatty & adjust to the uncertainties of the workforce and to the
Visser, 2005). Accompanying age discrimination is the expectations of government, commercial organizations,
phenomenon of the relative invisibility of older people as and community agencies to maintain economic security
participants in society. Tuckett (2022) pointed out how and lead a productive life. However, government policy
this invisibility is related to younger people’s diminished tends to favor the recruitment of younger workers
expectations of engagement from the older generation and (Lundberg & Marshallsay, 2007), and age discrimination
from seniors’ self-monitoring. functions to render the older workforce less visible even
when COVID-19 has helped to trigger an employment
1.2.2. Active aging crisis that older people could help to alleviate. As argued by
Another central concept related to both age friendliness and Phillipson (1998), the position of workers in the political
lifelong learning is that of active aging. As a new element economy allocates rewards in accord with age, social class,
of public discourse, active aging replaces older notions race, and ethnicity. Amid these interdependent variables,
of an aging process where elders have been protected by age tends to function as a deterrent for seniors seeking to
paternalism and dependence, living more passive lives. maintain relevance in the financial realm.
As explained by Boulton-Lewis (2012), “it is critical that
demeaning stereotypes of aging are challenged and that 1.3.2. The personal development dimension
we accept a new perspective on aging and learning in Personal development is associated with the liberal adult
modern society” (p. 3). The traditional conceptualization education tradition of individuals achieving what they
of older age as a time of expanded leisure and segregation are fully capable of. For older adults, this opportunity is
protected from the everyday trials of society is increasingly heightened in retirement wherein there is purportedly

Volume 10 Issue 2 (2024) 20 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.380