BETWEEN HISTORICAL SEEDS AND FUTURE NEEDS – ADDRESSING SILVER ECONOMY IN ISRAELI KIBBUTZIM
BETWEEN HISTORICAL SEEDS AND FUTURE NEEDS – ADDRESSING SILVER ECONOMY IN ISRAELI KIBBUTZIM

Summary/Abstract: The Kibbutz, an iconic element of Israeliculture with deep historical roots, plays a vital role inthe nation's narrative. With the global shift towards anageing population, the significance of the silvereconomy, emphasising the economic role and potentialof the elderly, has risen to the forefront. The study'smain aim is to explore and understand the dynamics ofthe silver economy within the unique collaborativesetting of Israeli kibbutzim. This study applied theCultural Web Framework to analyse the elementsinfluencing these communities as of 2023comprehensively. The Israeli kibbutzim, characterizedby their unique communal lifestyle and socialorganization, offer an exceptional setting for exploringthe integration of older adults and their influence on thecommunity's economic and social dimensions. A multi-modal approach in collecting and analysing data hasbeen applied using literature, documents and statisticsconcerning 266 kibbutzim inhabited by 193,5 thousandpeople. By randomly selecting a diverse range of 54kibbutzim for the in-depth research framed by theCultural Web concept, the study aimed to shed light onthe shared services provided for the elderly, theirparticipation in community life and decision-makingprocesses, and the overall attitude of the kibbutztowards its older members. The analysis was enhancedthrough the use of MAXQDA software, whichfacilitated the efficient import and examination ofstandardised and open-ended responses. This allowedfor a comprehensive application of various analysismethods, such as content analysis and mixed methodsapproaches, to extract meaningful insights from thedata. This research is particularly significant,considering the ongoing transformation of kibbutzimwithin Israel from traditional collaborative forms tomore individualised structures and how theseadaptations affect their senior inhabitants.Comprehending these dynamics provides crucialinsights for fostering inclusive and supportivecommunities that leverage the capabilities of theirageing members. This contributes to widerconversations surrounding ageing, community well-being, and sustainable social frameworks within thecontext of the silver economy.

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