Growing Old in Changing Micronesia

Mason, Leonard (September 1982). "Growing Old in Changing Micronesia". Pacific Studies. 6 (1): 1–24. ISSN 0275-3596.

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Abstract: This article explores the changing status of the elderly across Micronesian societies in the context of colonial influence, modernization, and urban migration. Traditionally revered for their authority, knowledge, and control over land, older individuals have experienced declining status as formal education, wage labor, and centralized governance shift power toward younger generations. The study examines variations across regions, including rural outer islands, district centers, and Guam, highlighting how migration and economic change disrupt traditional support systems. It also evaluates emerging social service responses, arguing that effective policy must account for cultural diversity and prioritize community-based approaches that preserve traditional roles while addressing new material needs.