Background
Blau, Zena Smith was born on August 4, 1922 in New York City. Daughter of Joseph and Lena K. Smith.
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book
Aging in a changing society
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0531056376/?tag=2022091-20
Old Age in a Changing Society
(Many people try to imagine what their life will be like w...)
Many people try to imagine what their life will be like when they retire or are widowed... But they can rarely foresee the full range of consequences set off by later exits from long-held roles--partly because they lack a knowledgeable perspective on other possible roles in their repertory. The present work, by providing such a perspective, can help the reader gain... a greater understanding of how to prepare for and cope with these changes when they occur. In the present era, vastly increased numbers of people survive middle age and face the prospect of living for a long time in a society that as yet has found no ways to use the qualities, talents, and skills of its aging citizens. Since most of us view life as an ultimate value, we hail any act or artifact that extends it as a boon to humanity. Perhaps some day that will be true. For the present, however, I question the wisdom of a society that allocates considerable resources and talent to prolonging human life but fails to provide meaningful social roles for older people. That, I submit, is the critical problem of aging in modern society. ...It is the sustained experience of being necessary to others that gives meaning and purpose to the life of all human beings. ... True, older people do receive some financial restitution after widowhood and retirement, but our society has failed as yet to assume any significant degree of responsibility for creating new and meaningful forms of social restitution for them. As a result, enforced idleness and uselessness have become the fate of many older people in American society. Only an affluent society can maintain a considerable segment of its population in non-productive idleness. To do so, however, is a waste of human resources and human spirit that could be used to benefit both the society and its older members. If human life is precious, then it is folly to waste it. If it is not, then why extend it? This is the dilemma that old age poses for a post-industrial society.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0531064808/?tag=2022091-20
Zena Smith Blau
Edit ProfileEducation
AB, Wayne State University, 1943. Master of Social Work, 1946. Doctor of Philosophy, Columbia University, 1957.
Career
Assistant professor University Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, 1957—1965. Senior research scientist Institute Juvenile Research, 1965—1975. Professor Ritchmond College, City University of New York, 1975—1976.
Professor sociology University Houston, from 1976. Chairman department sociology, 1976—1979.
Achievements
Works
book
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Old Age in a Changing Society
(Many people try to imagine what their life will be like w...)
- Old age in a changing society.
- Aging in a changing society
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Old Age in a Changing Society
Membership
Member of Society Study Social Probelms, Sociologist Women Society, American Gerontological Society, American Sociological Association.
Connections
Married Peter M. Blau, August 7, 1948 (divorced 1968). 1 child Pamela L.
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Born
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Died
March 31, 2004 (aged 81) -
Nationality
American