Quality of life and male old age in Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present an analysis of the quality of life of older adult men residing in three Mexican entities, based on some dimensions related to physical and social environments. Its relevance is based on two points: on the one hand, due to the lack of development of this line of research (old age), within the study of masculinities; on the other hand, due to the progressive aging process that occurs in Mexico that poses important social policy challenges with a gender perspective. The article reflects some reflections on the aging process in demographic terms, differentiating from the sex of the elderly. Next, some theoretical and conceptual clarifications are made focused on the issue of masculinities and the quality of life in old age. Subsequently, the methodology is developed, which is quantitative and transversal, where data are collected from the Survey on Living Conditions of Older Adults in Mexico, 2016. Based on the information obtained in the survey, the analysis of the results is outlined, whose information shows that in old age men face vulnerability, especially with respect to their social environment, which may affect their quality of life. Finally, the work concludes with some reflections and analytical proposals that contemplate making visible the conditions and quality of life of the elderly male population in Mexico.