THE PROBLEM OF THE OLD MAN: MANHOOD, CLASS, AND RETIREMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, 1910s-1950s

摘要: As the life cycle began to expand after 1900, "old age" became a new twentieth-century site where, like nineteenth-century factory, working-class males struggled define and sustain identities as "men." By studying "the problem of old man," this dissertation revises historians' understandings gender class -- showing how gender, class, aging have fundamentally intersected and, in process, shaped histories work, welfare state, organized labor. The first three chapters explore rise mass production catalyzed man" during 1910s 1920s, why state pensions emerged principal way uphold manhood later life. Chapter 1 examines employers emphasized youth speed workplace, making "growing old" major source unease about manhood. 2 addresses many experts social provision concluded by 1929 that only from could masculinity male breadwinner. 3 looks at both workers tried find ways economic foundations Great Depression, ranging Social Security labor organizing. final examine shifting politics accompanied modern "retirement" 1940s 1950s. 4 discusses expanding job opportunities, increasing incomes, suburbanization made middle-class status key foundation World War II. result, professionals displaced factory discourse. 5 strategies older men used affirm retirement. their "working years," retired be youthful "productive." Many busied themselves with rigorous routines sports, "tinkering," yard work order demonstrate During postwar years, average length continued expand, embraced contradictory definition depended on males' ability success bodies even aged they faced end careers due