ABSTRACT
The social and moral meanings of aging and of being an older person are evolving within an increasingly global context. Although there are differences that can be drawn between developed and developing nations, these meanings appear to be differentiated by variables such as gender, race and ethnicity, living arrangements, and age cohort. However, the legitimacy or dominance accorded some of the meanings will likely be dependent upon the ideological beliefs of those who are deemed experts or who wield influence in policy circles. Meanwhile, the resolution of many of the most pressing aging policy issues will be compelled by the sheer demographics of aging and confounded by the extent to which ideological perspectives are intractable.
