Feminization of aging: A multifaceted phenomenon beyond the numbers

Abstract

This essay aims to expand the concept of the feminization of aging by addressing the conditions associated with older women’s working relationships. The feminization of aging is generally associated with the fact that there are more women than men in the elderly population, especially in Brazil. The theoretical basis of this study can help to expand our understanding of this phenomenon, which has three axes: the nature of the feminization of aging; the characteristics of those who experience it; and, finally, the needs of aging women and transformation strategies in the work context. These elements show that the phenomenon is too complex and multifaceted to be explained by quantitative approaches, which merely consider the predominance of women in the elderly population in Brazil. Due to gender and age discrimination and other professional challenges, women face difficulties associated with building, maintaining, and progressing in their careers. This expansion of the concept reveals the lack of attention and support for this social group in organizations, suggesting that professionals and managers must raise awareness of and confront this issue to effectively transform the world of work for older women.