Is generativity Erikson's answer to human ageing in the neoliberal world?

This paper uses the concept of generativity to challenge the ageist view of older adults' reduced social and economic contributions in a neoliberal economy and support an age-integrated society. It revisits Erik Erikson's life cycle theory and brings forth the argument that the core quality of the seventh stage of human ego development, generativity vs stagnation, transverses all previous developmental stages and creates a forever-moving life cycle through intergenerational connections. Generativity is critical to human ageing as it is closely linked to notions of transfer of knowledge. This paper investigates generativity in relation to ego, libido and ageing. It discusses the ego as the medium of generativity and libido as its source of energy. It also explores how opportunities for intergenerational exchange, transfer of knowledge, and creativity are fashioned to suit the larger economic and socio-cultural context through sublimation. The paper concludes that generativity is the most promising route to an age-friendly society.