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AbstractThere is a growing body of interdisciplinary literature on the representation and construction of ageing masculinities; however, there is a lack of specific analysis of older men's responses to cultural images of ageing. It is important to examine how cultural meanings around ageing may inform older men's lived experiences, an underexplored aspect of gender and social relations. This article does so and contributes to social gerontology and masculinity studies. It draws on focus group discussions and follow-up interviews or reflective diaries with seven men aged 65–73 years, varying in terms of relationship status and sexual orientation. The research forms part of an international study. It discusses the initial thematic findings, interpreted with reference to literature on ageing in culture and society, and hegemonic masculinities. The analysis identifies five primary themes: underrepresentation and stereotyping in media; diminishment of family role; transition from work to retirement; agency as opposed to confinement; and ageing as engaged and autonomous, illustrating some of the issues involved in the fluidity of masculinity over a lifetime. It highlights how representation can inform perceptions and experiences of growing older, and shows shifting masculine identities that negotiate hegemonic expectations as well as discourses about ageing. This study demonstrates how the participants' modifications of hegemonic masculine and ageing identity interrogate and broaden these discourses, and opens avenues for future investigation.

COVID-19 profoundly affected Irish citizens. The effects have been especially pronounced for nurses in front-line, clinical and management roles. This article discusses the national and employer policy context relevant to nurses in Ireland. There have been staff and bed shortages in public hospitals since austerity policies were introduced following the global financial crisis. Government measures responding to the pandemic include initial 'cocooning' of older citizens, travel restrictions, changed working conditions and restricted availability of childcare. This article draws on interviews with 25 older nurses in 2021, sixteen women and nine men, aged 49 or over in Ireland. It explores older nurses' experiences of COVID-19 and asks what are the implications for their working conditions and retirement timing intentions. A gendered political economy of ageing approach and thematic analysis reveals that while some nurses responded positively to the pandemic, some experienced adverse health impacts, stress and exhaustion; some reported a fear of contracting COVID-19 and of infecting their families; several women nurses decided to retire earlier due to COVID-19. The implications of the findings for employer and government policy and for research are discussed.

Policies designed to extend working life and reduce pension costs have been the dominant policy response to population ageing. Such policies include increasing state pension age, flexible working and privatisation of pensions. Despite men's and women's typically different work-life trajectories, policymakers have paid little attention to either the differential effects of such policies on the economic well-being of older women and men, or to the implications for diverse groups of women. This article on policy, employment and pension outcomes in the US and Ireland analyses these issues, using a feminist political economy of ageing framework to assess the likely gender implications of these policy trends. It finds that existing and proposed reforms are likely to take what are already poor pension and employment outcomes for many contemporary older women and make them even worse in future. It concludes with suggested policy modifications and future avenues for research.

International contributors apply lifecourse approaches to understanding evolving definitions of work and retirement. They consider the range of transitions from paid work to retirement that are potentially different for women and men in different family circumstances and occupational locations, and offer solutions governments should consider to enable them to evaluate existing policies.--

RésuméEn s'appuyant sur des données d'Eurostat de 2007, 2010 et 2012, les auteures étudient les effets de la crise de 2008 sur la situation des travailleurs hommes et femmes en Italie, en Irlande et au Portugal, en s'intéressant plus particulièrement aux nouvelles dynamiques du marché du travail, aux profils d'emploi au sein des ménages et aux revenus. La réduction des écarts entre les hommes et les femmes en matière d'emploi, de chômage et de travail précaire révèle moins une progression vers l'égalité des sexes qu'une détérioration de la situation des hommes, aux dépens du niveau de vie des ménages.

ResumenCon datos de Eurostat de 2007, 2010 y 2012, se examinan los efectos de la crisis de 2008 en Irlanda, Italia y Portugal respecto de las pautas de empleo de mujeres y hombres y su repercusión en los modelos de sostén familiar y los ingresos de los hogares. Las brechas de empleo, desempleo y empleo precario se reducen sin avance hacia la igualdad, por la mayor vulnerabilidad de los hombres en el mercado laboral. Crece el riesgo de pobreza (sobre todo en hogares donde la mujer es el sostén, en aumento), riesgo que podría afectar desigualmente a los miembros del hogar, dependiendo del régimen patrimonial.

AbstractUsing Eurostat data for 2007, 2010 and 2012, the authors examine the effects of the 2008 crisis on the situation of male and female workers in Italy, Ireland and Portugal, with particular attention to changing labour market dynamics, (intra‐household) employment patterns, and incomes. The gender gaps in employment, unemployment and precarious employment are narrowing, but this trend cannot be interpreted as progress toward gender equality: it is driven by men's increasingly vulnerable position resulting from the generalized deterioration of labour market conditions, including the growth of precarious and/or low‐paid employment, unemployment and poverty to the detriment of household living standards.

"Most European countries have experienced labour market reforms at varying times leading to extended working life and a postponement of retirement age. This book provides a gender perspective on the impact of extended working life on the different dimensions of well-being, the factors which can limit extended working life, and the working conditions of older workers. It will be of interest to all scholars and students of social policy, sociology, gender studies and labour studies more broadly"--