Gay Men’s Working Lives, Retirement and Old Age

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xviii

   PDF

2. Scope and Content

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 1-35

3. Working Lives of Men Aged 60 and Older

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 37-83

4. Working Lives of Men Aged 45–60

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 85-124

5. Working Lives of Men Aged 45 and Younger

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 125-160

6. Old-Age Fears or Concerns

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 161-214

7. Old Age Plans

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 215-251

8. Conclusion

   • Peter Robinson

   Pages 253-266

9. Back Matter

   Pages 267-291

   PDF

This book examines the working lives, retirement plans, and old age experiences of three generations of gay men born 1924–86. It draws on data collected from interviews with 82 men in Australia, England, New Zealand, and USA. The first half of the book concentrates on the men’s working lives, while the second half of the book explores the interviewees’ concerns about old age and retirement. The author analyses the men’s contrasting stories, highlighting key generational differences in their experience of being ‘out’ in the workplace and the dominant work narratives which emerge in each age group. This important work will have cross-disciplinary appeal to scholars of sociology, gerontology, health sciences, gender, queer, and gay and lesbian studies, as well as practitioners.

• work narrative
• sexuality
• working lives
• casualisation of employment
• sexuality and work
• ageing
• gerontology
• baby boomer generation
• HIV-AIDS
• gay-marriage
• homophobia
• gay community
• GLB
• retirement
• privatisation
• pension
• gay men
• welfare state

“A major strength of the work is the combination of scholarly theoretical analysis and empirical research with practical questions that have potential to contribute to more effective practice, advocacy, and policy and program development for professionals. … The book is also a useful resource for students. Theoretical and empirical investigations of sexual diversity can help students exercise leadership as they emerge into the social work profession.” (Linda Briskman, Australian Social Work, February 26, 2019)

“This book is important because it highlights the necessity of considering intersectional identities within trans communities. … highly recommended for researchers, social workers, clinicians, and community activists who work with older gay and trans populations, or for anyone who wants to educate themselves on the lived realities of queer elders.” (Christine Smith, The Gerontologist, Vol. 59 (1), 2019)

“In this, Dr Peter Robinson’s third book, is a theoretically informed and empirically rigorous study of the working lives of three age cohorts of gay men. The qualitative interviews are revealing of both personal histories and the nature of work and society from the middle of the last century. They are also enliven the text: this is, indeed a ‘good read’. As well as making An original contribution to the academic literature, Dr Robinson’s work should be a must-read for policy makers, senior administrators and front-line professionals in the aged-care sector.” (Brian Costar, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia)

“This third and final volume of Peter Robinson’s study of three waves of gay men (born between 1922 and 1980) focuses on work and old age, continuing to show how age shapes gay life. Here again we find the hallmark of his books: rich detail alongside shrewd commentary. There is much to be learnt from this landmark work.” (Ken Plummer, University of Essex,UK, and author of Telling Sexual Stories)

• Arts, Social Science and Humanities, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia

  Peter Robinson

Peter Robinson is Senior Lecturer in History and Sociology at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. 

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