Discussion:
Retirement and Culture
I need some thoughts on identifying the influences that impact retirement and that are also relevant to cultural differences.
The concept of retirement differs with cultural expectations and personal expectations. Even among compatible partners, it can be hard to arrive at mutually agreed-upon decisions. Our individual expectations may have been conditioned by our personal upbringing, by past experiences, and by lifelong involvement in the workforce. For example, a group of people in a small, remote farming community who have lived in a collectivist type of environment might have different perceptions of a successful life experience than those in an urban environment. These differences lead to different preferences for retirement arrangements.
1. Discuss the concept of retirement from their perspectives of collectivism and individualism, addressing at least the following questions:
2. How does one's perspective on community or independent living evolve?
3. What are the influences that affect decisions about retirement?