ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the study of gender issues within ageing populations now of global interest given that women represent just under half of the population. Understanding different life trajectories and diversity characteristics of the ageing female population is important given the implications for wider society and culture. Women's changing circumstances, attitudes and behaviours are affecting their experience of ageing at both an individual and societal level. These circumstances present new opportunities and challenges for governments, policy-makers and service providers. Changes to the life course, life stages and lifestyle choices are starting to have a marked impact on the shape, size and types of households in the UK and the biographies of current generations of older people. The chapter reviews a one particular source of demographic data alongside this literature to review any research possibilities which would facilitate better examination of possible trajectories of single older women living alone in British households.