Dramatic Global Population Growth Embraces the Growing Older Population

About the Book

The world is witnessing a dramatic demographic population growth explosion across all age groups that had it beginning around the early 1800s when the first billion people in population was recorded. Most importantly has been an increasing growth in the older population. Does population aging matter in the twenty-first century? Yes, it matters, because as research has pointed out, the increasing older population globally will have a significant impact on all essential societal systems—the family, pensions and retirement, and financial institutions, as well as medical, health, and social systems. This growth explosion or phenomenon will affect all continents, countries, and regions regardless of economic, political, and military power. Causative factors for this global growth in population have come about primarily as a result of medical advances/innovations, agricultural development, and the industrial revolution, especially the development of railways, seaways, and highways. A major emphasis of the book focuses on several very important factors: the growing older population as aforementioned, especially its impact on all of essential societal systems and the subject of ageism. Ageism becomes extremely important considering that the growing older population, the “silver tsunami,” represents the new majority. This new majority will no longer be ignored. Gerontologists for years have attempted to call attention to the fact. “Expectations for old people are based on negative age stereotypes. Members of American society generally expect and even encourage the aged to be asexual, intellectually rigid, unproductive, ineffective, and disengaged. Seniors are supposed to stay out of the way, sit in their rocking chairs, and enjoy the golden years. They are expected to be inactive, invisible, but happy” (Levin, J and Levin, W, Ageism, Prejudice and Discrimination Against the Elderly, California: Wadsworth Publishing, 1941, pp. 97–98). Speaking of being ignored, why aren’t more members of the older population involved at the decision-making tables in shaping a society for all ages? After all, they would bring years of experiences, skills, knowledge, and values for creating a society for all ages in the twenty-first century with justice and human rights for all. Currently, there is a global movement with a goal of the eradication of ageism in all of it forms. Some will recall from several decades ago the Grey Panther Movement in America with a similar mission of the eradication of all injustices at the time being experienced by the older population. The current movement says, “The time is now not later!” One major social injustice being experienced by the growing old population globally is the lack of income security in old age, including the lack of access to other essential services such as medical, health, and social including long-term care. More than 50 percent (51 percent) of older persons globally do not have basic income security or a social pension in retirement. A more alarming statistic is that in Sub-Saharan Africa (forty-seven countries), eight-two percent (82.5) of retirees do not have a social pension. Yes, for the older population, the new majority, the time is now for correcting the aforementioned injustices. Maybe what is needed is a human seismic force comprising the new majority to initiate a social movement with a goal of the eradication of all forms of ageism and ensuring that the growing older population will live in dignity and respect in later life including social protection/pensions.

About the Author

Edward Arthur McKinney, Ph.D. Dr. McKinney is the recipient of the Bachelor degree (BA) in Sociology Morehouse College (1962) Atlanta, Georgia and Master of Social Work degree (MSW) Atlanta University (1964), Atlanta, Georgia; Master in Public Health Education (MPH) (1967), University of Pittsburgh and a Doctorate in Social work (Ph.D.) (1970), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. McKinney has held faculty positions at the following Universities in the United States: Department of Social Work, State University of New York/SUNY, Brockport, NY, The School of Applied Social Sciences (MSASS) Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio and The School of Social Work, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio. He has been the recipient of several outstanding international scholarly awards including faculty appointments on the continent of Africa, specifically Sub-Saharan Africa. The aforementioned appointments include The J. William Fulbright Senior Scholar Award, The University of Botswana 1988-1989. He was also a recipient of a second J. William Fulbright Senior Scholar Award, Joint Appointment at Nairobi and Kenyatta Universities, Kenya, East Africa 1998-1999. Also, Dr. McKinney received a Special Academic Invitation as a Visiting Professor/Scholar in Residence, School of Social work University of Botswana, 2007-2008. He also received a Special Invitation in 2004 to participate in a Street Children Project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The global project involved working with non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) from Ethiopia and the USA; the project was focused on assisting youth and/or young adults in Ethiopia, especially females in preparing for future careers. Dr. McKinney has also been the recipient of a number of national, regional and local Awards in the United States, examples are: Distinguished University Faculty Award, Cleveland State University 2001-2003, The Black Faculty and Staff Organization Distinguished Faculty Award 2001, The Ohio School Social Work Association: Friends of School Social Work Award for Dedication to the Advancement of School Social Work 2011. The Cuyahoga County Commissioners’ Award: In Recognition of Time, Dedication and Commitment to the Elderly Population of Cuyahoga County Serving as Chair of the Advisory Council 2006. The Cuyahoga County, Division of Senior and Adult Services: The Anna V. Brown Award Recognizing Continued Dedication and Support to the African American Senior Community 2013 and The PVA Circle of Homes Award: In Recognition of Leadership as Board Member and Outstanding Commitment to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1995. He has held memberships in the following scholarly organizations: The Delta Omega National Honor Society in Public Health and The Golden Key National Honor Society in Sociology. As aforementioned, Dr. McKinney has served on a number of national, regional and local professional boards and committees: National Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Academic Accreditation Committee, The National Board of the American Association of Public Health (During service time was selected National Public Health Social Worker of the Year), The Special Health Committee, U.S. Congressional Black Caucus, Washington, D.C. (appointed by Congressperson Louis Stokes Ohio D-OH 14), currently Board Member Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Chairperson Education and Research Committee, The Greater Cleveland Council on Older Persons (Program Committee) and The Greater Cleveland Interdenominational Clergy Alliance as Special Program Consultant including project proposal writing. In 1981 Dr. McKinney and Clergy students from the Ministerial Education/Training Project, sponsored by Case Western Reserve University School of Applied Social Sciences, received a Special Invitation from the Television Program: CBS Sunday Morning News Hosted by Charles Kuralt. The purpose of the appearance on CBS by Dr. McKinney, Academic Program Coordinator was to share with the nation how indigenous leadership, Clergy in Cleveland was being trained and prepared to work with social activists, professionals and political leaders in the community. The purpose of the groups working together was to do away with all of the social evils such as poverty, unemployment, poor housing conditions and a lack of access to essential programs and services, including health and social services preventing citizens from across all age groups from enhancing their overall quality of life. Dr. McKinney has also served on several National Scholarly Editorial Boards: The Journal of Health and Social Policy, The Journal of Applied Social Sciences and The Journal of Health and Social work. Also, he has published numerous articles including a number of professional conference presentations relating to his professional and academic work beginning around 1975 to the present. Selective examples of relevant publications and presentations includes: Book, The Black Aged: Understanding Diversity and Human Service Needs, California: Sage Publishing, California, 1990, Presentation: “The Impact of Modernization on the Extended Family System in Africa, Who Will Care For the Elderly and Children?” The presentation was part of the 33rd International Congress, Schools of Social Work Santiago, Chile August 2006, Article: “Global Population Growth, Aging Policy Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa,” National Association of Social Work (NASW) Specialty Practice Sections, Fall/Winter Publication 2015. Edward A. McKinney, BA, MSW, MPH, PHD Professor Emeritus/School of Social work College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio 44118