Is Capitalism Good for the Elderly

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     Japan is a highly developed country that has favored work over almost everything else. People work and work, which has led to a declining population as more people are deciding not to have children and spend their time into their careers as living becomes more expensive. This society that loves to work has led to weird falling outs, as seen by some Japanese people giving up on their lives and becoming recluses in their own homes for many years. As their rising elderly population continues to grow and a decreasing workforce, does the capitalist society that they live in do them any good?  Their high stress work environments have pushed many of their citizens to the brink and thus creating people who are recluses.
                In an article on AlterNet.org, they discuss the drawbacks of capitalism for the elderly and possible solutions to the problem. As we continue to extend life what good does it for us when all there is social isolation and having a negative impact on our own economy. A suggestion brought up in the article was having a universal basic income and allowing the elderly to explore more leisure activities. Thus, reducing social isolation and decreasing dependency on other government programs. We must acknowledge the fact that capitalism isn’t helping the elderly now and we have to come up with ways that will benefit the elderly.

For more on the article please visit: https://www.alternet.org/economy/there-life-after-capitalism
For Japanese recluse example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxYs2Pv86WA

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