Abstract:

Demographic data reveal that older adults will represent an increasing proportion of the U.S. population; similar patterns are developing in other industrial societies. Because of these shifts, increasing burdens will be placed on younger adults to provide support & medical services for older citizens. It is argued that such enlarged burdens cannot be sustained without the assent of the non-old population. Traditionally, such assent has been assured by policies that socialize children & adolescents to a sense of obligation to the aged & afflicted; when these socialized persons mature, they accept such obligations. Here, the nature of socialization to obligation in the US & other societies is described. It is suggested that prevailing patterns of youth socialization may need to shift toward greater emphasis on socialization to obligation. A number of concrete proposals for necessary changes are offered.