Forum Network

Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot discusses a major cultural shift in how older people are re-defining the word "retirement", in her new book, The Third Chapter: Passion, Risk and Adventure in the 25 Years after 50.

Lawrence-Lightfoot, one of America's preeminent sociologists, traveled for two years speaking to people in their fifties, sixties, and seventies, and found that, despite living through a time of declining mental and physical capacity, all had accomplished much in building whole new lives. What did she discover that helps us all live better? How can we all take advantage of this "Third Chapter" in our lives? In a person's life, could the years between 50 and 75 be the most transformative and generative?

Co-sponsored by Helen Glikman and Dan Bartley.