Demographic aging: a notion to revisit.

The article analyzes the concept of “demographic aging,” why “age 60” (years) was chosen as a threshold for the start of “aging,” and how these notions have been applied in France. Since the nineteenth century, tremendous changes have occurred in the meaning of “age 60,” both in terms of the social and familial roles a person of that age is expected to play, and in terms of expectations regarding such persons' productivity. The author argues that the notions of “demographic aging” and “age 60” have been conducive to a negative portrayal of old age, have served as a hindrance in the development of social policy towards aged people, have played a role in reducing the number of active people over 55 years, and have reduced medical research on the processes of aging.