FRHD 3060 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Social Inequality, Gerontology, Civic Engagement
Document Summary
Civic engagement in the political process is another form of active and productive aging. Much of the increased involvement among older people is accounted for by a significant increase in political interest and political activity among women. Changes in political attitudes across the life course is due to maturational changes, cohort effects, and period effects. Political participation requires a commitment of time, money, and skills: participation by older adults can be passive (following news, searching for information on a daily basis, voting, joining a party) Most involvement is expressed through voting, and politicians recognize the size of the potential voting block that older adults represent. Participation in voting by older people is high because they are long- term residents of a community, have a history with and an understanding of issues, and may have a long-standing identification with a particular political party. People over the age of 60 or 65 are eligible to hold political office.