Exclusion, Coexistence, Tolerance and Beyond

The Elderly in the Netherlands

Abstract

This paper intends to clarify the position of elderly people in The Netherlands in terms of social and spatial exclusion and tolerance. Two perspectives on the position of elderly adults exist in Dutch society. The domination marginalization perspective perceives the elderly as a marginalized category and as a social and economic burden for society at large. The diversity and difference perspective welcomes the growing number of older adults for their social, economic and cultural contribution. 

The paper analyzes three case studies to evaluate these perspectives. The case studies refer to the provision of elderly care, to local networks of elderly in urban and rural areas, and the rise of elderly domains. The case studies highlight the heterogeneity and the gendered nature of the position of the elderly in Dutch society. The position of the healthy, well-to-do, younger senior citizens - both men and women - can be interpreted within the "diversity and difference" perspective, while the position of the frail, poor, elderly adults, who are predominantly women, can be better understood in terms of marginalization and social and spatial exclusion.