Аnalysis of Social Activity of Elderly men: On the Example of Employees of the Financial University

The relevance of the research problem is determined by socio-demographic trends, expressed in an increase in the proportion of elderly people in the structure of workers and the need to maintain their social activity. Modern researchers of the silver age point to the complexity of its categorization, as well as the difference in the social experience of older people. The novelty of the research presented in the article lies in the choice of an empirical object — men over the age of 60 who are employees of a Financial University. The choice of this empirical object is due to the fact that among the studies of the silver age there is a lack of knowledge of specific and limited samples, which include university staff. The purpose of the study is to analyze the qualitative characteristics of the social activity of this group and develop practical recommendations. The research method was an informal interview followed by an open and axial coding procedure. The survey was conducted in the fall of 2024 at the Financial University (n = 35). As a result of the study, it was revealed that this group of informants has favorable characteristics of staying in the “silver age” stage both in terms of activity and general living conditions. A typical university employee over the age of 60 is a strong family man and a patriot who takes an active civic and pro–social position. Work forms the main area of social activity for him, filling his life with the value of self-actualization. He has some concerns about his own health and the health of his loved ones, the future of his country and his children, and social inequality. One of the main drivers of activity is the family. At the same time, there is a tendency towards group leisure in the format of volunteer work (environmental practices, participation in patriotic clubs). Work is considered as a part of self-realization, aimed not only at providing income in the family, but also at realizing internal, valuable needs. Communication with colleagues is becoming an important channel for updating professional competencies. The study’s findings support the scientific hypothesis that older men’s employment contributes to maintaining social activity and ensuring a higher quality of life. The survey results create the prerequisites for further study of the “silver age” in the gender context and may be of interest to researchers in the field of sociology, gerontology, and social psychology.

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