The Course of Poverty: Research on Poverty among Old Age from the Life Course Perspective

Content introduction：

Along with the rapid spread of aging of the population in China, the elderly has become the focus of the public policy. In the context of rapidly social changing in recent decades, because of lacking economic accumulation, declining physiological functions, and lacking of ability to against life risks, the elderly has been recognized as vulnerable to fall into poverty. Regarding these, some researches on elderly poverty have been done by domestic and foreign scholars. There are some important research findings and results have been showed to us, such as impact factors of poverty in old age, living conditions of poor elderly, and strategies for alleviating old age poverty etc. But most of these achievements related to the real status of poor old people, while few revealed the “process” of elderly poverty. The life status of the elderly has a historical continuity. The poverty in old age is not only related to the period of old, but also closely relevant to early life course. Therefore, this study did more deeply processing research in poverty in old age of urban China from life course perspective. By using qualitative research method, which has the advantage of deep description and comprehensive analysis, and choosing cases of poor old people in Beijing city, this study reveals the real life status about research objects. From this foundation, and base on the case’s narrative, the study further explores and sums up the life path forming the current poor life status of the old age. Finally, this paper gives some recommendations, which based on the previous study work and heterogeneity of the studied cases, to improve the quality of their later life. The significance of this study consists in taking new theoretical perspective into research about poverty in old age in urban China. In addition to these, the practical significance is also very important for this study. The recommendations are more effective and feasible to prevent poverty in old age and to meliorate the old age welfare policies and services.