Browsing by Subject "Age discrimination"

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Older workers & new careers : an exploratory study : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2005) Carpenter, Heather Ann
The existing literature of older workers and careers focuses on the challenges for older workers in maintaining employment in the new environment, revealing increased demands to adapt to an environment of uncertainty and decreased job or career security, compounded by age and discriminatory factors. The current career management literature proposes so far under-researched models of sustaining careers in this uncertain environment, including ideas of career resilience, protean career behaviours and career competencies. The findings of this study contributes to the literature a predominantly positive picture of employed older workers: despite exposure to restructuring, redundancies, organisational change and regional economic downturns in the 1990's, most exhibit career behaviours and on going learning in ways that foster their progress and sustain their employment and their careers. Undertaken in a regional setting, themes emerge of detachment from traditional career concepts and practices, flexible patterns of employment, multiple job holding and self-employment. The effective practices of career management suggested by existing models are affirmed and extended. The study uses a qualitative research methodology based on in-depth interviews, using a life history approach. The data is gathered through the career stories of 32 participants in a range of occupations, all of whom are employed older workers. The study reports differing views of career, and distinctive ways of working in a rural regional environment. Using the behaviours derived from the data, the study proposes a model of effective behaviours for the new careers environment. This (PAIL) model proposes proactivity, adaptability, identity awareness and learning as behaviours which most assist the goals and progress of individual career actors; a typology is offered to illustrate and support this model. This study contributes to our understanding of careers in diverse contexts, and contributes valuable empirical data regarding ways in which career actors have achieved work and personal success in the current environment.
Senior citizens? : old age and citizenship in provincial New Zealand communities : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University
(Massey University, 2002) Kerr, Alison Lassie
This research considers the extent and quality of the citizenship of older New Zealanders in the "Third Age", a stage in the adult life cycle between the second age of careers, partnership and parenting and the fourth and final phase of (usually) increasing dependency. The study questions: whether 'senior citizens' have access to the material and cultural resources to enable them to choose between different courses of action in their daily lives; whether existing intergenerational relations enable them to appropriate substantive rights and responsibilities; and what are the relational practices and processes, the networks and affiliations, through which citizenship may be 'performed' by older people? This research was carried out with six groups of elderly people in a range of communities in the province of Hawke's Bay on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The purpose of running six different focus groups, each over a six week period, was to generate discussion of the issues for older people as well as individual stories about the lives of elderly people in particular local communities. The aim was to investigate the meaning of old age for elderly New Zealanders by critically analysing the term 'senior citizen'. The study built on contemporary theories of ageing and citizenship, using a narrative collective life history approach in order to focus on older people's personal experience of policy, and the capacity for citizenship that they bring with them into old age. The study also identifies national and local government policies, national and local organisations, media representations of old age, local communities, families and the attitudes of elderly people themselves as important influences on the extent to which they are able to exercise and enjoy their rights and responsibilities as senior citizens. My central thesis is that senior citizenship depends on a civil society which supports autonomy and connectedness for all its citizens. The balance between these two aspects of citizenship is culturally determined and sensitive to outcomes in a range of social domains over the life span. Recommendations focus on self-determination and social inclusion for older people through anti-ageist policies and practices at the national and the local level, and further research into the plans and aspirations of senior citizens.