Ageing in Singapore (Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series)

Our review of Ageing in Singapore examines a substantive academic study that is best suited to readers seeking a grounded, contextual understanding of ageing as a social and political phenomenon in Singapore. Written by Peggy Teo, Kalyani Mehta, Leng Leng Thang and Angelique Chan, the book's single biggest strength is its sustained, multi-author analysis of how health, work, housing and family intersect with social categorization to shape older persons' lives. This review explains who benefits most from the book and why its argument matters for social policy and research.

Key Features

• Multi-author analysis: Brings complementary disciplinary perspectives that deepen understanding of ageing across health, work and family care.
• Focus on policy contexts: Examines pensions, health and social care to illuminate how institutions respond to rising old-age dependency ratios.
• Everyday experience: Uses lived experience and social categorization to show how identity and age are negotiated in daily life.
• Regional relevance: Situates Singapore within broader Southeast Asian and Asian debates, useful for comparative research.
• Critical discourse from Asian writers: Offers perspectives that challenge dominant Western framings of ageing and dependency.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at graduate students, researchers and policy analysts interested in gerontology, social policy and Asian studies who need a rigorous, contextual account of ageing in a rapidly changing economy. Practitioners designing age-related programmes will find the discussion of pensions, care systems and family ties helpful for framing interventions.

Readers seeking a light overview or a how-to guide for caregiving may want a more practical manual. Likewise, those expecting quantitative demographic models or a purely medical handbook should look for specialist texts; this volume foregrounds social and political analysis over clinical detail.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Interdisciplinary authorship provides a rounded, credible examination of ageing in Singapore.
• Clear focus on policy issues connects academic analysis to practical questions about pensions and care.
• Attention to everyday social categorization helps readers appreciate the lived meaning of age and identity.

Cons

• The book is analytical and dense, which may be challenging for casual readers seeking quick summaries.

Specifications

Title	Ageing in Singapore (Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series)
Authors / Editors	Peggy Teo; Kalyani Mehta; Leng Leng Thang; Angelique Chan
Series	Routledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series
Subject focus	Ageing, social policy, health, work, housing, family care
Geographic scope	Singapore with regional Asian context
Approach	Critical, multidisciplinary social analysis

Our Verdict

Ageing in Singapore is a valuable, well-argued resource for academics and policy professionals who need a nuanced account of how ageing is shaped by institutions and everyday social categories. Its multi-author approach and policy focus make it good value for readers seeking depth and context rather than quick practical tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book discuss policy responses to ageing in Singapore?
Yes. The book examines pensions, health and social care and how these institutions cope with increasing old-age dependency ratios.

Who are the contributors?
The work is written by Peggy Teo, Kalyani Mehta, Leng Leng Thang and Angelique Chan, who bring interdisciplinary perspectives.

Is this suitable for general readers?
It is primarily aimed at researchers and policy audiences; general readers may find the analysis dense but informative.