New image of growing old: A content analysis of books written by baby boomers in Taiwan

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the opinions that baby boomers in Taiwan have about ageing, books written by members of this demographic were taken as the research object. Methods: A total of 12 books were collected, and a content analysis was used to examine how baby boomers describe old age. Results: Four themes were identified: 1) Greater mental maturity and strength, 2) a decline in the mastery of life, 3) risks related to encountering misfortune in the future, and 4) self-encouragement and vigilance. Conclusions: Members of the baby boomer generation in Taiwan believe that they can lead a good life in old age through their own efforts, and they tend to emphasize that they should make contributions in their old age. They especially want to show their abilities and dedication to family and maintain a good relationship with their children.