Embargo: 00.01 hours 1 September 2003
Ageing babyboomer generation could become force for social progress or a lobby for theirown interests, says think tank report
Thegovernment is risking a baby boomer backlash if it doesnt deal with thedemands of a generation who plan to grow older very differently from theirparents, says a new report published by Demos with AgeConcern England.
The New Old is the first detailed account of babyboomers attitudes to ageing, which are distinctively different from theirparents. The character of this generation will have a much greaterimpact than the numbers alone suggest. Describing the ageing society interms of a demographic time bomb is misguided say the authors.
Thebaby boom generation is defined by two distinct and sometimes conflicting attitudes: social activism and individualism. The defining character of thenew old will depend on whether their individualism or social activism winsout.
Theauthors suggest that baby boomers could turn into the selfish generation,which contrasts with the Dunkirk spirit of their parents, or civic defenderswho push for wider social change as they have done in the past.
Thechallenge for future governments and political leaders is to persuade the babyboom generation to continue to embrace their radicalism, which has made themthe leaders of social change at every stage of their lives.
Futuregovernments will have to do a deal with the baby boomer generation, say JuliaHuber and PaulSkidmore,the authors of The New Old. Attempts to encourage people to continueworking without offering something in return will lead to a baby boomerbacklash.
Atthe same time, the welfare state could reach breaking point if the baby boomersuse their political muscle to force governments to prioritise their own publicservices at the expense of society as a whole.
Theauthors identify two major social issues where the baby boomers attitudes couldrewrite the political agenda and cause problems for future governments:
failureto deal with increased expectations placed on quality and choice in publicservices, which baby boomers tend to viewfrom the perspective of consumers rather than citizens;
nudgingup the retirement age in the workplace, as the present government isattempting, without offering baby boomers greater flexibility in later life toreadjust their work/life balance;
Anew generation of 17 million older people are marching towards retirement witha clear set of demands, says Gordon Lishman, Director General of AgeConcern. The boomers are unlikely to put up and shut up. If the politicalparties fail to listen to the boomers on priority issues like the provision ofpublic services and retirement then they could be punished at the ballot box.
Demos sets out 11 challenges for policy-makers indealing with the coming social revolution and makes some specificrecommendations, including:
The development of so-called granny creches inworkplaces which would enable employed people to juggle jobs and care of olderrelatives;
Creation of a new opportunities for elderpreneursto fulfil lifelong ambitions to start new businesses or social enterprises,including low-risk equity release schemes, underwritten by the government;
Requiring all new housing developments to beelder-enabled to break up grey ghettos and promote multi-generationalliving.
1. The New Old: Why the baby boomers wont bepensioned off is published by Demos with Age Concern England onThursday 4 September 2003.
2. Demos is an independent think tank with a stronginterest in family lives and long-term societal change. Julia Huber and PaulSkidmore are researchers at Demos.
3. Age Concern is theleading charity in the UK concerned with ageing and older people, and works toimprove the quality of life for all older people.
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Eddie Gibb
Head of Communications
Demos
020 7401 5347 or 07966 496357