Modern industrial societies are characterized by long-term declines in fertility and steady increases in life expectancy. Together, these trends result in an aging population. The United States is no exception; since 1969 the median age has risen from 29.4 to a projected 36.4 in the year 2000. This fourth edition of the standard reader on the sociology of aging has been completely revised, with 90 percent new material, to reflect new information and new issues in this rapidly developing field. Students and practicing professionals will find it a lively, accessible overview.
Biography
Beth B. Hess is professor of sociology at County College of Morris, a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and past chair of the GSA’s Section on Behavioral and Social Sciences. She has served as president of Sociologists for the Eastern Sociological Society. Her publications include four editions of an introductory sociology textbook, books on the women’s movement and gender analysis, as well as articles in social gerontology and feminist sociology. Dr. Hess is currently secretary of the American Sociological Association., Elizabeth W. Markson is research associate professor of sociology and associate director, Gerontology Center, at Boston University, and associate professor at the Boston University Medical School. She has worked in both applied and academic settings over the past two decades and has contributed to several scholarly journals. Her books include Older Women, Public Policies for an Aging Population (with Gretchen Batra), the third edition of Growing Old in America (with Beth B. Hess), and four editions of Sociology (with Beth B. Hess and Peter J. Stein).