AGING AND GENERATIONAL CONFLICTS - A REPLY TO IRWIN,SARAH

In response to Sarah Irwin, the article develops a conflict model of i nter-generational exchanges and treats generation as a neglected dimen sion of social stratification theory and research. Against Irwin's foc us on individual attitudes from survey data towards intra-familial co- operation between generations, the article draws on public policy on d ependency, legislation on retirement, superannuation and pensions, and stereotypes of the elderly to study inter-generational inequalities. Employing Pierre Bourdieu's distinction between cultural and economic capital, it considers the formation of generations around political ev ents, shared culture and strategic advantage. Generational conflict is structurally organized around the tensions between early retirement, age-related competency, legislation on ageism, and youth unemployment. Given rapid and radical changes to the labour market, generational co hesion is an important dimension therefore of strategies of social clo sure.