Dlouhověkost jako nová otázka sociálních věd

Abstract

Longevity represents, in the sociology of aging, and not only in the Czech Republic, a relatively new and little considered topic. Due to the significant increase in long-life in developed countries, including the Czech Republic, the issue is substantial. This article aims to support the discussion of longevity issues in the social sciences in the Czech environment. Above all it focuses on introducing the concept of resilience as a possible explanation for the longevity of some and the disability of other older adults. It seems that this originally psychological concept offers a satisfactory explanation of the determinants and factors of increasing longevity and its distinct diversity. For example, current knowledge seems to indicate that the higher longevity of women can be explained by their higher resilience, typically mobilized after widowhood.

Keywords

• longevity
• resilience
• perseverance
• ageing
• active ageing
• population ageing