ISBN:
9780511495977
Language:
English
Pages:
1 online resource (xiv, 322 pages)
Series Statement:
Cambridge studies in population, economy, and society in past time 39
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als
DDC:
305.26/0944
Keywords:
Geschichte 1700-1800
;
Geschichte 1700-1800
;
Geschichte
;
Older people / England / Social conditions / 18th century
;
Old age / England / History / 18th century
;
Aging / England / History / 18th century
;
Alter
;
Großbritannien
;
Electronic book
;
Großbritannien
;
Alter
;
Geschichte 1700-1800
Abstract:
The Decline of Life is an ambitious and absorbing study of old age in eighteenth-century England. Drawing on a wealth of sources - literature, correspondence, poor house and workhouse documents and diaries - Susannah Ottaway considers a wide range of experiences and expectations of age in the period, and demonstrates that the central concern of ageing individuals was to continue to live as independently as possible into their last days. Ageing men and women stayed closely connected to their families and communities, in relationships characterized by mutual support and reciprocal obligations. Despite these aspects of continuity, however, older individuals' ability to maintain their autonomy, and the nature of the support available to them once they did fall into necessity declined significantly in the last decades of the century. As a result, old age was increasingly marginalized. Historical demographers, historical gerontologists, sociologists, social historians and women's historians will find this book essential reading
Description / Table of Contents:
Who was "old" in eighteenth-century England? -- The activities of the "helmsman" : self-reliance, work, and community expectations of the elderly -- "The comforts of a private fire-side" -- Independent but not alone : family ties for the elderly -- Community assistance to the aged under the Old Poor Law -- Continuity and change in community assistance to the elderly over the eighteenth century -- Within workhouse walls : indoor relief for the elderly -- Conclusion : old age as a useful category of historical analysis
Note:
Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015)
DOI:
10.1017/CBO9780511495977
URL:
Volltext
(URL des Erstveröffentlichers)
URL:
Volltext
(URL des Erstveröffentlichers)
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511495977
URL:
Volltext
(lizenzpflichtig)
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511495977
URL:
Volltext
(lizenzpflichtig)
