WORK AND AGE*

摘要

In modern industrial communities a mismatch has arisen between the process of ageing and the pattern of working life. Over the last 100 years there has been a crystallization of the life-pattern into three phases, education (up to ages 15–25), work (from 15/25–65) and retirement (after 65), with sharp divisions between the phases. This pattern no longer conforms to human needs. Education needs to continue throughout life. The psychological changes that take place during adult life make it inappropriate to regard the period of working life as a homogeneous phase. Sudden retirement finally confronts the individual with difficult problems of adjustment. A restructuring of the life cycle, designed to meet human needs, and to bring education, work and leisure into a common pattern, is propo