PPA 419 – Aging Services
Administration
Lecture 2 – Generational Equity
Source:
John B. Williamson and Diane M. WattsRoy. 1999. “Framing the Generational
Equity Debate”. Chapter 1 in John B.
Williamson, Diane M. Watts-Roy, Eric R.
Kingson, The Generational Equity
Debate (pp. 3-37). New York: Columbia
University Press.
Introduction
Core of the generational equity debate:
Thirty years from now it will not be possible to
support the retired baby boomers at the level
enjoyed by those currently retired.
Unfair to require baby boomers to support current
beneficiaries at levels they will not themselves
receive.
Concept of generational equity used in
connection with argument that elderly are
getting more than their fair share of
governmental resources.
Generational Equity in
Historical Perspective
Early Origins of the debate
Recent incarnation of the age-old question of what
share of the family and/or community resources should
be consumed by the elderly.
Typically an intrafamily matter.
Conflict between young and old over food, land, and
other scarce resources a common theme in historical
accounts of intergenerational relations.
Food taboos often benefited the elderly.
Feudal societies: the elderly at the mercy of the young
Democracy in Athenian society reduced the role and influence
of the elderly.
Colonial society: elderly poor within community cared for by a
sense of solidarity, but not elderly strangers.
Generational Equity in
Historical Perspective
Changes in public policy affecting
attitudes toward elderly in 19th century
Increase in relief and poor tax.
Change in ethnic composition.
Shift from outdoor relief to indoor relief.
Shades of the Debate in the
New Deal and Great Society
Most direct origins of debate in debate over
passage of Social Security Act of 1935.
Old Age Assistance and Old Age Insurance
Result of epic struggle between proponents of
“Social Security” vs. “Socialism”.
Advocates of the pension invoked communitarian
themes: origins of dependent elder stereotype.
Advocates of the anti-pension position were
frightened by the radicalism of the Townsend
movement and other old age pension movements
and argued about the dangers of creating a
dependent generation.
Shades of the Debate in the
New Deal and Great Society
Between 1950 and 1970s, SSA was frequently
amended, expanding coverage and benefits.
Big conflict was over health care
Truman proposed several national health insurance plans,
none passed
Kennedy asked for draft bill, but only for elderly.
Incremental strategy designed to overcome conservative
opposition. Bill defeated.
Johnson passed after 1964 election with large Democratic
majorities in Congress. But conservatives made sure
providers well-compensated and made program difficult to
expand to other age groups.
Put Medicare and Social Security at heart of generational
equity debate.
Shades of the Debate in the
New Deal and Great Society
Later expansions
Older Americans Act of 1965
Nixon
Expanded benefits
Indexing
SSI
Recent Reemergence of the
debate
Compassionate ageism, 1930s to 1970s
Discriminated against, poor, frail
Interpretive package that painted elderly as needy
and deserving of public support.
Helped sell social policies for aging.
But changed economic circumstances
prompted concerns about elderly spending.
Oil embargoes, stagflation
Decline in trust in government
Recent Reemergence of the
Debate
Increased skepticism about the
effectiveness of government
Often fueled by effective conservative
campaign by conservative think tanks.
Recent Reemergence of the
Debate
In 1977 Social Security faced first funding
crisis.
Conservatives called it a crisis, liberals a shortterm funding problem
Crisis interpretive package had several advantages
for conservatives.
Given conservatives agenda to reduce welfare state, they
must reduce Social Security. Best way is to undermine
public confidence in program.
Liberals wished to avoid crisis framing and
proposed a short-term funding solution.
Recent Reemergence of the
Debate
1977 changes increased taxes and upper limit
on taxable income.
Pressure for more changes led Reagan to
appoint commission.
Conservatives again used crisis frame and liberals
funding frame.
1983 reforms increased retirement age.
After 1983 reforms, conservatives frame
“generational equity” debate.
Developments during 1990s
Proponents of generational equity framing
have focused on entitlement spending, size of
federal budget, and size of federal debt.
Social Security implicitly or explicitly blamed.
Generational interdependence frame focuses
on tax cuts, military spending, and spending
caps on domestic discretionary programs.
Means testing
Privatization
Framing the Debate
Generational Equity Frame
More attention to fairness between
generations.
Too much on elderly at expense of others
(especially children).
Baby boomers will be heavy burden on
Social Security and Medicare.
Current recipients consuming more than
their fair share.
Framing the Debate
Generational Equity Frame (contd.)
Every generation should provide for itself.
Key obstacle: Voting power of elderly.
To provide for elderly, must grow the
economy, cut private consumption, shrink
federal spending, and privatize part of
Social Security.
Less emphasis on entitlement and more on
work.
Framing the Debate
Generational Interdependence Frame
Take into consideration the interdependence of
generations when making and changing policy.
Reject idea that each generation should fend for itself.
Sharp cuts in retirement benefits will have adverse
effects on adult children.
Distinct emphasis on what each generation has to
offer to other generations.
Focus on intragenerational equity
Other forms of equity: racial, gender, class.
Framing the Debate
Generational Interdependence Frame (contd.)
With regard to Social Security, long-term financing
problem but not a crisis.
Diversity in economic circumstances among
elderly. Poverty among children not directly
linked.
Must control health care spending
Pursue communitarian rather than individualistic
values.
Values, Beliefs, and Rhetorical
Strategies
Advocates must select symbolic
language that shapes the appeal of
particular frames and makes them look
natural and comfortable.
Generational Equity Frame.
Privatization of Social Security rests on
language of self-reliance and personal
freedom
Values, Beliefs, and Rhetorical
Strategies
Generational Interdependence Frame
Redistributive goals of Social Security
Obligation to protect vulnerable groups
Fought in mass media.
Generational equity frame has
advantage in the dominance of
individualism in American culture.