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      Older Persons and the Cuban Reform Process

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            Abstract

            Cubans are living longer, which combined with a low birth rate, has reduced the proportion of the population in the work force. This adversely affects the economy, which is one reason government has introduced major structural reforms. This article presents data from a qualitative study of 35 older persons (60+ years of age) who were asked about the reform process and its impact on their lives. This process has important implications for the fast growing older population many of whom are disproportionately affected by the hardships of life, receive pensions on which they cannot live, reside in overcrowded homes, and suffer shortages in food and transport. Most respondents reported they support the reforms, even though they involve a reduction of social benefits (e.g., food subsidies). Policy makers should consider older persons' views about the reforms, because a reduction of benefits might make it more difficult for many older persons' to meet basic needs.

            Content

            Author and article information

            Contributors
            Journal
            10.13169
            intejcubastud
            International Journal of Cuban Studies
            Pluto Journals
            17563461
            1756347X
            Spring 2014
            : 6
            : 1
            : 9-24
            Affiliations
            Yeshiva University, USA
            Article
            intejcubastud.6.1.0009
            10.13169/intejcubastud.6.1.0009
            ba3f45e9-68d4-4af9-890b-1a184cd9959b
            © International Institute for the Study of Cuba

            All content is freely available without charge to users or their institutions. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission of the publisher or the author. Articles published in the journal are distributed under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

            History
            Categories
            Academic Articles

            Literary studies,Arts,Social & Behavioral Sciences,History,Cultural studies,Economics
            Cuba,qualitative research,older persons,structural reform,social benefits,socialism

            Bibliography

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