Civic involvement across the life course: Moving beyond age-based assumptions

Advances in Life Course Research

Volumn 18, Issue 3, 2013, Pages 199-211

  Hirshorn, Barbara A ^a   Settersten, Richard A ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA   (United States)

^b OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

Age; Civic engagement; Heterogeneity; Meaning; Old age; Young adults

Indexed keywords

ADULT; AGE; AGED; FEMALE; GOVERNMENT; HUMAN; HUMAN RELATION; MALE; POLITICS; PSYCHOLOGY; SOCIAL BEHAVIOR; VOLUNTEER; YOUNG ADULT;

ADULT; AGE FACTORS; AGED; FEMALE; GOVERNMENT; HUMANS; INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS; MALE; POLITICS; SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; VOLUNTEERS; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 84881347430     PISSN: 15694909     EISSN: 18796974     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2013.05.001     Document Type: Review

References (128)

1. Age4Action Network (2013). Fact sheet. Retrieved from . http://www.age4action.org/who-we-are/.
2. Alwin D.F., McCammon R.J., Hofer S.M. Studying baby boom cohorts within a demographic and developmental context: Conceptual and methodological issues. The baby boomers grow up: Contemporary perspectives on midlife 2006, 45-71. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ. S.K. Whitbourne, S.L. Willis (Eds.).
3. American Society on Aging (2009, April). Aging and community: ASA presents national forum on civic engagement. American Society on Aging E-newsletter #4.
4. Arnett J.J. Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist 2000, 55(5):469-480.
5. Attias-Donfut C., Wolff F.C. The redistributive effects of generational transfers. The myth of generational conflict: The family and state in ageing societies 2000, 22-46. Routledge, London. S. Arber, C. Attias-Donfut (Eds.).
6. Baltes P.B. On the incomplete architecture of human ontogeny: Selection, optimization and compensation as the foundation of developmental theory. American Psychologist 1997, 52:366-380.
7. Baltes P.B., Lindenberger U., Staudinger U. Life-span theory in developmental psychology. Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 1. Theoretical models of human development 1998, 1029-1143. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 5th ed. R.M. Lerner (Ed.).
8. Barnett O.W., Miller-Perrin C.L., Perrin R.D. Family violence across the life span: An introduction 2011, Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA.
9. Becker B. The transfer of cultural knowledge in the early childhood: Social and ethnic disparities and the mediating role of familial activities. European Sociological Review 2010, 26(1):17-29.
10. Bennett L. Civic life online: Learning how digital media can engage youth 2008, The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.
11. Biemiller, C. (2010). Personal communication, January 2010.
12. Biggs S. Toward critical narrativity: Stories of aging in contemporary social policy. Journal of Aging Studies 2001, 15:303-316.
13. Bronfenbrenner U., Morris P.A. The ecology of developmental processes. Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 1: Theoretical models of human development 1998, 993-1028. Wiley, New York. 5th ed. W. Damon, R.M. Lerner (Eds.).
14. Cahill K.E., Giandrea M.D., Quinn J.F. Retirement patterns from career employment. The Gerontologist 2006, 46(4):514-523.
15. Carstensen L.L. The influence of a sense of time on human development. Science 2006, 312:1913-1915.
16. Center for Health Communication, Harvard School of Public Health Reinventing aging: Baby boomers and civic engagement 2004, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, Retrieved from http://sphweb.sph.harvard.edu/chc/reinventingaging/read_report.html.
17. Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) Young voters in the 2008 presidential election fact sheet 2008, Retrieved from http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS_08_exit_polls.pdf.
18. Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) Education gap persists 2012, Retrieved from http://www.civicyouth.org/education-gap-persists-66-of-youth-with-any-college-experience-turned-out-to-vote-35-of-youth-with-no-college-experience/.
19. Cullinane P. Promoting purposeful lives for greater good: Civic engagement programs of aging organizations. Generations 2006-2007, 30(4):109-111.
20. Dalton R.J. The good citizen: How a younger generation is reshaping American politics 2008, Congressional Quarterly Press, Washington, DC.
21. Dannefer D. Cumulative advantage/disadvantage and the life course: Cross-fertilizing age and social science theory. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 2003, 58B(6):S327-S337.
22. Dannefer W.D., Settersten R.A. The study of the life course: Implications for social gerontology. International handbook of social gerontology 2010, 3-19. Sage, London. W.D. Dannefer, C. Phillipson (Eds.).
23. Danziger S., Ratner D. Labor market outcomes and the transition to adulthood. The Future of Children 2010, 20(1):133-158.
24. Denters B., Gabriel O., Torcal M. Norms of good citizenship. Citizenship and involvement in Europe: A comparative analysis 2007, 88-108. Routledge, London. J.W. van Deth, J.R. Montero, A. Westholm (Eds.).
25. Dewey J. Art as experience 1934, Minton Balch & Co., New York.
26. Diewald M., Mayer K.U. The sociology of the life course and life span psychology: Integrated paradigm or complementary pathways?. Advances in Life Course Research 2009, 14(1-2):5-14.
27. Dittman-Kohli F., Westerhof G.J. The personal meaning system in a life span perspective. Exploring existential meaning: Optimizing human development across the life span 2000, 107-123. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA. G.T. Reker, K. Chamberlain (Eds.).
28. Elder G.H. The life course and human development. Handbook of child psychology, Vol. 1: Theoretical models of human development 1998, 939-991. Wiley, New York. R.M. Lerner (Ed.).
29. Ekerdt D.J. Frontiers of research on work and retirement. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 2010, 65B(1):69-80.
30. Endres T., Holmes C. The effects of civic engagement of current and future cohorts of older adults. Generations 2006, 30(4):101-106.
31. Farber H.S. Job loss in the Great Recession: Historical perspective from the Displaced Workers Survey, 1984-2010. Discussion paper no. 5696 2011, The Institute of the Study of Labor, Washington DC, Retrieved from: http://www.iza.org/en/webcontent/publications/papers/viewAbstract?dp_id=5696.
32. Fimbres G. Dad lost to cancer, Tucson boy raises funds for patients' families. Tucson Citizen 2009, Retrieved from: http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2009/04/04/113599-dad-lost-to-cancer-tucson-boy-raises-funds-for-patients-families/.
33. Flanagan C., Levine P. Civic engagement and the transition to adulthood. The Future of Children 2010, 20(1):159-179.
34. Flanagan C., Levine P., Settersten R.A. Civic engagement and the changing transition to adulthood. Working paper, Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement [CIRCLE] 2009, Tufts University, Boston, MA, Retrieved from http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/ChangingTransition.pdf.
35. Freedman M. Civic windfall? Realizing the promise in an aging America. Generations 2002, 26(2):86-89.
36. Freedman M. Encore: Finding work that matters in the second half of life 2007, Public Affairs, New York.
37. Freedman, M. (2008, January 27). No country for old people? Opinion piece. Washington Post. Retrieved from . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/01/25/AR2008012502779.html.
38. Freedman M. How to move beyond the DIY transition to encore careers. Bloomberg Businessweek special issue: The case against retirement 2009, November 11, Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2009/pi2009119_206530.htm?chan=investing_special+report+-+why+retire+2009_special+report+--+why+retire+2009.
39. Freedman M. The big shift: Navigating the new stage beyond midlife 2011, PublicAffairs, New York.
40. Freedman V. Disability, functioning, and aging. Handbook of aging and the social sciences 2011, 57-72. Elsevier, San Diego, CA. R. Binstock, L. George (Eds.).
41. Freund A.M., Nikitin J., Ritter J.O. Psychological consequences of longevity: The increasing importance of self-regulation in old age. Human Development 2009, 52:1-37.
42. Furstenberg F.F. On a new schedule: Transitions to adulthood and family change. The Future of Children 2010, 20(1):67-87.
43. Galston W., Lopez M.H. Civic engagement in the United States. Civic engagement and the baby boomer generation: Research, policy, and practice perspectives 2006, 3-20. The Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY. L.B. Wilson, S.P. Simson (Eds.).
44. Gignac M.A.M., Cott C., Badley E.M. Adaptation to chronic illness and disability and its relationship to perceptions of independence and dependence. Journal of Gerontology Social Sciences 2000, 55(6):362-372.
45. Gomperts J.S. Toward a bold new policy agenda: Five ideas to advance civic engagement opportunities for older Americans. Generations 2006-2007, 30(4):85-89.
46. Greenfield E.A. Identifying the boundaries and horizons of the concept of civic engagement for the field of aging. Civic engagement in an older America 2010, The Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. L. Carstensen, G. O'Neill, S.F. Wilson (Eds.).
47. Greenfield E.A., Marks N.F. Formal volunteering as a protective factor for older adults' psychological well-being. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 2004, 59B:S251-S257.
48. Hagestad G.O., Herlofson K. Micro and macro perspectives on intergenerational relations and transfers in Europe. Report from United Nations expert group meeting on social and economic implications of changing population age structures 2005, 339-357. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Population Division, New York.
49. Hardy M. Rethinking retirement. Handbook of Sociology of Aging 2011, 213-227. Springer, New York. R.A. Settersten, J.L. Angel (Eds.).
50. Harlow-Rosentraub K., Wilson L.B., Steele J. Expanding youth service concepts for older adults: AmeriCorps results. Civic engagement and the baby boomer generation: Research, policy, and practice perspectives 2006, 61-84. The Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY. L.B. Wilson, S.P. Simson (Eds.).
51. Heater D. Citizenship, the civic ideal in world history, politics, and education 2004, Manchester University Press, Manchester, UK. 3rd ed.
52. Heckhausen J., Wrosch C., Schulz R. A motivational theory of lifespan development. Psychological Review 2010, 117:32-60.
53. Heim, K. (2009). Garfield freshman's charity begins at school. The Seattle Times. Retrieved from: . http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2010113316_rwanda22.html.
54. Hendricks J., Cutler S.J. Leisure in life-course perspective. Invitation to the life course: Toward new understandings of later life 2003, 107-134. Baywood Publishing Company, Amityville, NY. R.A. Settersten (Ed.).
55. Hendricks J., Cutler S.J. Volunteerism and socio-emotional selectivity in later life. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 2004, 59B:S251-S257.
56. Hinterlong J.E., Morrow-Howell N., Rozario P.A. Productive engagement and late life physical and mental health findings from a nationally representative panel study. Research on Aging 2007, 29:348-370.
57. Holstein M. A critical reflection on civic engagement. Public Policy & Aging Report 2006, 16(4):21-25.
58. Hudson R.B. Seniors and civic engagement: Challenges and critical perspectives. Civic engagement in an older America 2010, The Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. L.L. Carstensen, G. O'Neill, S.F. Wilson (Eds.).
59. Hughes M.E., O'Rand A.M. The lives and times of the baby boomers. The American people: Census 2000 2005, 224-258. Russell Sage Foundation, New York. R. Farley, J. Haaga (Eds.).
60. Johnson R.W., Butrica B.A., Mommaerts C. Work and retirement patterns for the G.I. generation, silent generation, and early Boomers: Thirty years of change. Urban Institute retirement policy program discussion paper 10-04 2010, Urban Institute, Washington, DC, Retrieved from: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=412175.
61. Kahne J.E., Middaugh E. Democracy for some: The civic opportunity gap in high school. Policies for youth and civic engagement 2009, 29-58. Vanderbilt University Press, Nashville, TN. J. Youniss, P. Levine (Eds.).
62. Kahne J.E., Sporte S.E. Developing citizens: The impact of civic learning opportunities on students' commitment to civic participation. American Educational Research Journal 2008, 45(3):738-766.
63. Kaskie B., Imhof S., Kavanaugh J., Culp K. Civic engagement as a retirement role for aging Americans. The Gerontologist 2008, 48(3):368-377.
64. Kinder D. Politics and the life cycle. Science 2006, 312:1905-1908.
65. Keith J., Fry C.L., Glascock A.P., Ikels C., Dickerson-Putnam J., Harpending H.C., et al. The aging experience: Diversity and commonality across cultures 1994, Sage Publications Inc., Thousand Oaks, Ca.
66. Kingson E.R., Hirshorn B.A., Cornman J.M. Ties that bind: The interdependence of generations 1986, Seven Locks Press, Washington, DC.
67. Kohli M. Private and public transfers between generations: Linking the family and the state. European Societies 1999, 1:81-104.
68. Kohli M. The institutionalization of the life course: Looking back to look ahead. Research in Human Development 2007, 4(3-4):253-271.
69. Lerner R.M. Liberty: Thriving and civic engagement among America's youth 2004, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.
70. Lerner R.M. Developmental science, developmental systems and contemporary theories of human development. Handbook of child psychology: Theoretical models of human development 2006, 1:1-17. Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. 6th ed.
71. Levesque-Bristol C., Knapp T.D., Fisher B.J. The effectiveness of service learning: It's not always what you think. Journal of Experiential Education 2010, 33(3):208-224.
72. Levin J. Blurring the boundaries: The declining significance of age 2012, Routledge, New York.
73. Levine P. The future of democracy: Developing the next generation of American citizens 2007, Tufts University Press, Medford. MA.
74. Li Y., Ferraro K.F. Volunteering and depression in later life: Social benefit or selection processes?. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 2005, 46:68-84.
75. Li Y., Ferraro K.F. Volunteering in middle and later life: Is health a benefit, barrier or both?. Social Forces 2006, 85:497-519.
76. Lum T., Lightfoot E. The effects of volunteering on the physical and mental health of older people. Research on Aging 2005, 27:31-55.
77. Martinson M., Halpern J. Ethical implications of the promotion of elder volunteerism: A critical perspective. Journal of Aging Studies 2011, 25:427-435.
78. Martinson M., Minkler M. Civic engagement and older adults: A critical perspective. The Gerontologist 2006, 46(3):318-324.
79. Mayer, Karl U. Whose lives? How history, societies, and institutions define and shape life courses. Research in Human Development 2004, 1(3):161-187.
80. McAdam D. Freedom summer 1998, Oxford University Press, New York.
81. McAdam D., Brandt C. Assessing the effects of voluntary youth service: The case of teach for America. Social Forces 2009, 88(2):945-970.
82. Mettler S., Milstein A. American political development from citizens' perspectives: Tracking federal government's presence in individual lives over time. Studies in American Political Development 2007, 21:110-130.
83. Metz E.C., Youniss J. Longitudinal gains in civic development through school-based required service. Political Psychology 2005, 26(3):413-437.
84. Minkler M., Holstein M. From civil rights to. . .civic engagement? Concerns of two older critical gerontologists about a new social movement and what it portends. Journal of Aging Studies 2008, 22:196-204.
85. Social class and transitions to adulthood. New Directions in Child and Adolescent Development 2008, 119:1-98. (special issue).
86. Morrow-Howell N. Volunteering in later life: Research frontiers. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 2010, 65B:461-469.
87. Mutchler J.E., Burr J. Boomer diversity and well-being: Race, ethnicity, and gender. Boomer bust? Economic and political issues of the graying society 2009, 24-46. The Greenwood Publishing Group, Westport, CT. R. Hudson (Ed.).
88. Nelms, B. (2009). Fairburn nature preserve dedicated Oct. 17. TheCitizen.com. Retrieved from: . http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/40122.
89. Netting F.E. Bridging critical feminist gerontology and social work to interrogate the narrative on civic engagement. Affilia 2011, 26(3):239-249.
90. Neugarten B.L. The young-old and the age-irrelevant society. The meanings of age: Selected papers of Bernice L. Neugarten 1979/1996, 47-55. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. D. Neugarten (Ed.).
91. Age or need? Public policies for older people 1982, Sage, Beverly Hills, CA. B.L. Neugarten (Ed.).
92. Noveck B.S. Wiki government: How technology can make government better, democracy stronger, and citizens more powerful 2009, Brookings Institution Press, Washington, DC.
93. Oda J. Highlights from speeches by Ed Roberts 2007, World Institute on Disability, Berkeley, CA, Retrieved from http://www.wid.org/about-wid/highlights-from-speeches-by-ed-roberts.
94. O'Neill G., Morrow-Howell N., Wilson S.F. Volunteering in later life: From disengagement to civic engagement. Handbook of sociology and aging 2011, 333-350. Springer Science, New York. R.A. Settersten, J.L. Angel (Eds.).
95. Osgood D.W., Ruth G., Eccles J.S., Jacobs J.E., Barber B.L. Six paths to adulthood: Fast starters, parents without careers, educated partners, educated singles, working singles, and slow starters. On the frontier of adulthood: Theory, research, and public policy 2005, 320-355. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. R.A. Settersten, F.F. Furstenberg, R.G. Rumbaut (Eds.).
96. Pillinger J. Preventing homelessness: A comprehensive preventative strategy to prevent homelessness in Dublin 2005-2010. Research Series 2005 2005, City of Dublin, Dublin, Ir.
97. Pynoos J., Liebig P. Changing work, retirement, and housing patterns. Generations 2009, 33(3):20-26.
98. Rentsch T. Aging as becoming oneself: A philosophical ethics of late life. Journal of Aging Studies 1997, 11(4):263-271.
99. Rowe J.W., Kahn R.L. Successful aging 1998, New York, Pantheon Books.
100. Rozario P.A. Volunteering among current cohorts of older adults and baby boomers. Generations 2006-2007, 30(4):31-36.
101. Rumbaut R.G., Komaie G. Immigration and adult transitions. The Future of Children 2010, 20(1):43-66.
102. Ryff C.D. Challenges and opportunities at the interface of aging, personality, and well-being. Handbook of personality: Theory and research 2008, 399-418. The Guilford Press, New York. 3rd ed. R.W. Robins, L.A. Pervin (Eds.).
103. Sander T.H., Putnam R.D. Social capital and civic engagement of individuals over age fifty in the United States. Civic engagement and the baby boomer generation: Research, policy, and practice perspectives 2006, 21-42. The Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY. L.B. Wilson, S.P. Simson (Eds.).
104. Sears D.O., Levy S. Childhood and adult political development. Oxford handbook of political psychology 2003, 60-109. Oxford University Press, New York. D. Sears, L. Huddy, R. Jervis (Eds.).
105. Settersten R.A. Toward a stronger partnership between life-course sociology and life-span psychology. Research in Human Development 2005, 2(1-2):25-41.
106. Settersten R.A. It takes two to tango: The (un)easy dance between life-course sociology and life-span psychology. Advances in Life Course Research 2009, 14(1-2):74-81.
107. Settersten R.A. The contemporary context of young adulthood in the United States: From demography to development from private troubles to public issues. Early adulthood in a family context 2012, 3-26. Springer Science, New York. A. Booth (Ed.).
108. Settersten R.A., Ray B. Not quite adults 2010, Random House, New York.
109. Settersten R.A., Ray B. What's going on with young people today? The long and twisting path to adulthood. The Future of Children 2010, 20(1):19-41.
110. Settersten R.A., Trauten M. The new terrain of old age: Hallmarks, freedoms, and risks. Handbook of Theories of Aging 2009, 455-469. Springer Publishing Company, New York. V. Bengtson, M. Silverstein, D. Putney, S. Gans (Eds.).
111. Shannon L.J. A thousand sisters: My journey into the worst place on earth to be a woman 2010, Seal Press, Berkeley, CA.
112. Sherrod L.E., Torney-Purta J., Flanagan C. Handbook of research on civic engagement and youth 2010, Wiley, New York.
113. Sherrod L.E., Torney-Purta J., Flanagan C. Research on the development of citizenship: A field comes of age. Handbook of research on civic engagement and youth 2010, 1-20. Wiley, New York.
114. Siriani C. Investing in democracy: Engaging citizens in collaborative governance 2009, Brookings Institution Press, Washington, DC.
115. Siriani C., Friedland L.A. The civic renewal movement, community-building and democracy in the United States 2005, The Kettering Foundation Press, Dayton, OH.
116. Smith C. Lost in transition: The dark side of emerging adulthood 2011, Oxford University Press, New York.
117. Szinovacz M.E., Davey A. Predictors of perceptions of involuntary retirement?. The Gerontologist 2005, 45(1):36-47.
118. ® program in Baltimore. Journal of Urban Health 2006, 83(5):954-969.
119. Theiss-Morse E., Hibbing J.R. Citizenship and civic engagement. Annual Review of Political Science 2005, 8:227-249.
120. Thoits P.A., Hewitt L.N. Volunteer work and well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 2001, 42(2):115-131.
121. Traynor I. Crisis for Europe as trust hits record low. The Guardian 2013, Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/24/trust-eu-falls-record-low?INTCMP=SRCH.
122. Twenge J. Generation me: Why today's young Americans are more confident, assertive, entitled-and more miserable than ever before 2007, Free Press, New York.
123. Wilson L.B., Steele J., Simson S.P., Harlow-Rosentraub K. Legacy leadership institutes: Combining lifelong learning with civic engagement. Civic engagement and the baby boomer generation: Research, policy, and practice perspectives 2006, 111-142. The Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY. L.B. Wilson, S.P. Simson (Eds.).
124. Windsor T.D., Anstey K.J., Rodgers B. Volunteering and psychological well-being among young-old adults: How much is too much?. The Gerontologist 2008, 48(1):59-70.
125. Engaging young people in civic life 2009, Vanderbilt University Press, Nashville, TN. J. Youniss, P. Levine (Eds.).
126. Zaff J.F., Hart D., Flanagan C.A., Youniss J., Levine P. Developing civic engagement within a civic context. Handbook of lifespan development 2010, 590-630. Springer Publishing Company, New York. K. Fingerman, C.A. Berg, J. Smith, T.C. Antonucci (Eds.).
127. Zedlewski S.R., Butrica B.A. Are we taking full advantage of older adults' potential? Perspectives on Aging, number 9 2007, Urban Institute, Washington, DC, Retrieved from: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=411581.
128. Zukin C., Keeter S., Andolina M., Jenkins K., Delli Carpini M. A new engagement? Political participation, civic life, and the changing American citizen 2006, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.