- guardian.co.uk, Monday November 20 2000 01.37 GMT
Huge increases in the number of middle-aged people living alone after divorce or separation would mean growing demand for rented rooms while more men sliding towards alcoholism and depression would create a new burden for welfare services.
The warning of a dark flipside to the "grey panthers" generation of well-off older consumers, who still see themselves as young, active and sociable, was made in a report for the economic and social research council.
The generation divide over daily lifestyle between those over 50 and young people was disappearing, it suggested. But that also meant the idea of permanence and maturing into older middle-age, indulging the grandchildren, and participating in community networks, was changing too. The report suggested that for some over-50s "more self-focused, hedonistic attitudes will emerge as they imitate the lifestyles of the young". Already surveys suggested that they had similar alcohol consumption, TV, video and reading habits, and DIY and gardening interests, even if they listened to less music or engaged actively in sport.
And the fireside and slippers image was further slipping as men and women went in search of self-fulfilment. More women, who were enjoying independence because of educational and employment opportunities, could choose to live alone.
That meant the divorce rate, which has already tripled in 20 years from 3% to 9% among those in their 50s, could soar as increasing numbers in the age group re-examined their marriages and relationships in the light of their higher expectations.
The majority would, however, suffer increasing financial hardship. More would have to care for their parents, and the problem would be made bigger by the fact that more of the parents would be older men living on their own. Today one in 10 men over 60 live alone, but by 2020 the figure could be one in three.
"This could lead to greater economic hardship for sons and daughters in their 50s as it forms an added burden for those who may still be contributing to the upbringing of their own children from present or past relationships."
In addition, the longer life expectancy of parents meant their children now might have to wait until their 60s for inheritances that would help to pay off mortgages and fund their children's education.
Richard Scase, of Kent University, and Jonathan Scales, of Essex University, authors of Fit and Fifty?, said all this was happening as those in managerial and professional occupations had an entrenched expectation of early retirement.
But for many there would be economic and other burdens. "Evidence suggests that women are more capable than men of managing their emotional and social lives, suggesting that the growth of single person households among those in their 50s is likely to lead to growing social and psychological problems for men."
