Altruistic ageing: how age inequality contributes to care work’s construction as a burden

Abstract Ageing is often framed through the lens of independence, with a strong emphasis on not burdening younger family members. Little attention, however, has been given to how this framing reflects and reinforces age inequality by devaluing older adults relative to younger ones. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 43 Italians aged 65 and older, conducted in 2018/2019 and 2022, we identify an orientation we term ‘altruistic ageing’ – a perspective that centres younger people’s needs by expecting older adults to adopt a selfless concern for others’ wellbeing. This orientation emerged in participants’ definitions of burden, which centred on receiving long-term or intensive assistance or co-residing with younger family members. These definitions reflected a privileging of younger adults’ time, personal freedom, social relationships and commitment to paid work. Altruistic ageing had consequences: It encouraged healthy behaviours but also narrowed acceptable long-term care options and constrained definitions of a ‘good death’. By unpacking the framing of older adults as burdens, our study reveals how age inequality operates through a culturally sanctioned ideal that morally justifies prioritizing the young over the old.