Abstract
Older people are often considered to be a burden to society, perceived to “live off the state”. However, many older people contribute to their communities in a myriad of ways. In many rural communities older people are a source of help and support to others, volunteering, informally caring for friends and family and can be viewed as assets. Some older people are active in the labour market and many contribute financially by paying a variety of different taxes. This paper reports doctoral research assessing how older people take from and give to society in rural areas. It presents findings from an analysis of secondary data published by the UK Inland Revenue to understand the financial contributions older people make through the payment of income tax. The use of quantitative data to explore the contribution older people make to their communities will then be assessed. The paper concludes by reflecting on the contribution non-representational theory offers as a lens through which the ‘assets’ and ‘burdens' of older people might be elucidated and one through which the hidden geographies of ageing may be uncovered.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | XXVI ESRS On-Line Proceedings |
Subtitle of host publication | Places of Possibility? Rural Societies in a Neoliberal World |
Pages | 97-98 |
Number of pages | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Event | The XXVI European Society for Rural Sociology Congress - Aberdeen, United Kingdom Duration: 18 Aug 2015 → 21 Aug 2015 |
Conference
Conference | The XXVI European Society for Rural Sociology Congress |
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Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Aberdeen |
Period | 18/08/15 → 21/08/15 |
Keywords
- Ageing
- Scotland
- Quantitaive