The persistence of social stratification? A life course perspective on poverty in old-age in Switzerland

TitleThe persistence of social stratification? A life course perspective on poverty in old-age in Switzerland
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsGabriel, R, Oris, M, Studer, M, Baeriswyl, M
JournalSwiss Journal of Sociology
Volume41
Issue3
Pagination465-487
Keywordslife course, old age, poverty, social stratification
Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate the factors underlying old-age poverty, with particular emphasis on its construction along the life course. We focus on the question whether the inclusion of life course information could explain social and gender differences in old-age poverty in Switzerland. Our results suggest that poverty in old-age primarily depends on a person's initial human capital, corresponding to a traditional social stratification framework. We were not able to detect significant influence of work or relationship trajectories. Gender differences seem partly explained through the long-term impact of educational differences.

Refereed DesignationRefereed