AGING AND SOCIAL-WELFARE IN TRANSITION - THE CASE OF THE UNITED-STATES

the United States at the end of the twentieth century, government poli cies regarding elderly people appear to be in transition. In part this reflects the traditional American ambivalence between radical individ ualism and collective assistance - especially in the form of tax-suppo rted public welfare provided through government agencies - for those u nable to earn or save for their own support. But in part this reflects new concerns about the growth of welfare ''entitlements'' for elderly people and the presumed ''generational inequity'' of public support f or the aged at the expense of funds for children and young families. W e review 1) the changing demography of the United States elderly popul ation, 2) the complex and ambivalent history of welfare policy in the United States and 3) the evidence for tensions and conflicts between o lder and younger Americans in the context of politicized ''generationa l inequity'' debates, with special attention to changing government he alth care policies. We conclude that in American society, particularly in terms of federal assistance to the aged, there is considerable pub lic support for current policy measures, and - contrary to the predict ions of many - it is not likely that there will be dramatic policy cha nges in the near future.