Abstract
The baby boomers have been stigmatised as the selfish lazy generation. This project showed that for some, contributing to their community was of real importance. British Community Policy has made assumptions about the willingness of interested citizens to engage in civil society, run civil institutions and maintain community activity through voluntary activity. This project examined the contributions of the baby boomer generation, in three geographic locations, as they reached retirement age and potentially had the time and resources to take on voluntary activity. This project explored theoretical concepts of civil society; engagement and associationalism: community as place as an appropriate approach; why people participated and why they chose not to. It placed this in the context of political thinking in relation to civic society and associational activity. Differences in scope and type of associational activity in the communities appeared to be directly linked to the economic status of the community, the extent to which statutory institutions supported or initiated the activity and the style of leadership present. All the interviewees identified a range of motivators and triggers which had prompted their contribution to civic society. The motivators and triggers which initiated activity were different to the motivators which prompted continuation of their efforts. Socialisation, at an early age, was a significant factor in starting any associational activity and a benefit was seen as there begin no obligation. Changes in British Society since the 1960s suggest that this could have implications for the longer-term sustainability of this approach to community policy.
Presenters
Catherine ReynoldsPh D Research Student, School of Social, Political, and Global Studies, Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Policy and Public Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Baby Boomers. Associationalism, Community Leadership, Motivation, Triggers
