Dramatic Global Population Growth Embraces the Growing Older Population: "The Silver Tsunami"

The World is witnessing a dramatic demographic population growth explosion across all age groups that had it beginning around the early 1800's 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, 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 that "...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 fifty percent (51%) 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...