Statistical representations of old age. Argentina, 1869-1947

Abstract

The text examines the statistical representations of old age in relation to the first four national censuses of Argentina (1869, 1895, 1914 and 1947). In order to do so, the classifications proposed to define and segment the stages of human life (from childhood to old age) are analyzed, as well as the discussions on the age of the onset of old age and the positive or negative perceptions on that stage. The exegesis of the mechanisms of census discourse construction (field questions, chart elaboration, the construction of classifications and comments) suggests the influence of international theories and the progressive emergence of demographic ageing as a scientific and political problem. Finally, some of the limits of the theory of ageing are considered (particularly, the association between old age and level of working activity) since its appearance in the old historical tradition of age classes.