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Look to China for a gentler, wiser way
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DEAR Wang Yong,
Your brief remarks in the paper’s December 29th edition about the government’s decision to gradually raise the retirement age to 65 for both men and women echoes a similar discussion going on in the States.
Our “normal retirement date” (the age when one’s retirement benefits from Social Security will not be reduced for “early retirement”) is also gradually moving from 65 (which it was for me) to 67 (which is what it will be for my wife).
Since, as in China, the ratio of younger, working people relative to retired elderly is steadily dropping, many here are calling for raising this target date even higher (to perhaps 70), arguing that people are living much longer than was true even half a century ago.
While noting the economic basis underlying this decision in China, you wrote, “While these concerns are understandable, they do not give a whole picture of the benefit of letting older people continue to work. It should be stressed that older people are often wiser and more patient than younger ones in their capacity as civil servants, shop assistants, cab drivers and journalists. Creating more job opportunities for people older than 60 will be conducive to the construction of our harmonious society, which badly needs the wisdom of life offered by the older generation.”
I heartily concur!
Regarding the situation here in the United States, though, I have some concerns about the proposals to raise the “normal” retirement age even further.
First, the people arguing for this change seem to forget that many working people — all manual laborers, such as roofers, brick or tile layers, those engaged in construction activities, etc — will, in fact, be quite frail long before the current target age of 67.
It is one thing to argue that upper middle class folks who “labor” in climate controlled environments, and whose major daily physical challenge is to avoid obesity, can easily work longer, but such is usually not the case for those who endure hard physical work.
Throughout my life I have known many such workers, and I have seen for myself how often their backs, knees or legs become significantly worn and damaged long before age 60. Unfortunately, making exceptions for such folks — unless they meet the significantly higher standard of true disability — is not part of the current discussion here.
Equivocal thoughts
Second, Americans evince highly equivocal thoughts about “the elderly” and “retirement.” As with our alleged priority for children, we “talk a good game” but the reality is more mixed. Part of this is because this culture sees “my” identity is being nearly synonymous with “my work.” That is, I am what I do. So many Americans, males in particular, look upon retirement with some dread. After all, who am I once I am no longer working? This probably sounds ludicrous to members of your culture, as you are far more conscious of yourself as an integral part of larger communal units. (This is one of the ways that my own culture can be profoundly lonely for the unemployed, disabled or retired.)
Furthermore, we also strongly correlate self-worth with “productivity,” that is, as long as I am “producing” something by working I earn meritorious status in society. But, when I no longer work, it is assumed that I am also no longer contributing (economic value has become the much diminished criterion for so many things here, unfortunately). This is one of the reasons why discussion over the sufficiency of Social Security benefits tends to be so divisive. Deep within many is the thought/feeling that the non-working are also the non-deserving.
Unfortunately, not all who become elderly also develop wisdom, as some of the most strident, divisive people in the United States are old fools who truly ought to know better. Unlike the evangelist Luke’s remark about the child Jesus, they certainly have not “grown in wisdom and strength” as they aged! But I agree with you that many do, and I lament that there are few structures in the United States allowing these wiser, more patient ones to counsel younger colleagues.
As is true of so much in American life, as an elderly person you are “on your own” (until such time, of course, that you must be cared for because of your failing physical or mental capabilities).
One of the hopes that I have for the future of the United States — although I will not live long enough to see it — is that our increasing ethnic diversity, including so many people coming from societies, like China, which are more communal in their value structure, will lead to a gentler, wiser country.
False ‘values’ of capitalism
If it were possible, I also wish that our country could shake off the false and illusory “values” of capitalism and move closer to inclusive, socialist-like concepts of caring for all with equality and dignity. This is a major reason why I am praying for the future of your country — a strong, harmonious, peaceful China that remains true to its rich cultural heritage will afford the rest of us with an alternative and attractive example of what it means to “truly live.”
In friendship,
Greg
Greg Cusack has been a college teacher of American history and political science, the director of the US National Catholic Rural Life Conference; he served as a member of the Iowa State House of Representatives, and retired from public service in the Iowa executive branch in 2004.
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