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Women's Retirement
Esther Skirboll1, Myrna Silverman2
1a Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, 16057.
Journal of Women & Aging
|May 2, 2018
Summary
This study explores women's retirement decisions, revealing complexities beyond traditional quantitative research. A case study approach highlights factors like family health, financial planning, and spousal retirement influencing women's retirement experiences.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of Work
- Women's Studies
Background:
- Traditional research on women's work and retirement has been predominantly quantitative.
- Existing quantitative studies often focus on attitudes, satisfaction, and economic stability.
- Gaps in understanding the nuanced decision-making process for women's retirement exist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address limitations in quantitative research on women's retirement.
- To explore the complex factors influencing women's retirement decisions using a qualitative approach.
- To provide a deeper understanding of women's retirement experiences.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a case study approach for pilot data collection.
- Employed qualitative methods to investigate women's retirement processes.
- Focused on in-depth exploration rather than broad measurement.
Main Results:
- Pilot data suggests women's retirement decisions are more complex than previously understood.
- Factors such as family health issues significantly impact retirement timing and process.
- Retirement planning and the spouse's retirement status emerged as critical considerations.
Conclusions:
- A qualitative, case study approach is valuable for understanding complex social phenomena like women's retirement.
- Women's retirement decisions are influenced by a multifaceted interplay of personal, familial, and financial factors.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complexities of women's retirement.