As the world's population ages, we face a profound economic and social crisis. Here, Jeremy Seabrook examines the real implications of the ageing phenomenon and challenges our preconceptions about how it should be tackled.

Here, Jeremy Seabrook examines the real implications of the ageing phenomenon and challenges our preconceptions about how it should be tackled. Arguing that the accumulated skills and experience ofthe elderly should be employed to enrich society, rather than being perceived as a "burden", he makes a case for a radical re-thinking of our attitude to population issues, migration, social structures and employment policy.

The ageing population of the world - demographic time-bomb or unique opportunity? Some facts and figures
ageing and the role of the elderly in the changing cultures of the world
work and the elderly, in the west and south
themes and issues - widowhood, witchcraft, remembering, ...and forgetting, sex in old age, ageing and sexual minorities, stranded in a world moving on, poverty in old age, old age in traumatized societies - war and natural catastrophe
north and south - safety nets - the social security of flesh and blood and the social security of financial support, the elderly in individual countries, including USA, China, Vietnam, South Africa
active ageing - testimonies of the elderly
self-help, mutual help.