Law and Intergenerational Relationships: Comparing Labor Case Law in the United States, Canada, and Israel

By: Doron I., Lowenstein A., Biggs S.
Published in: Journal of Applied Gerontology
SDGs : SDG 08  |  Units: Social Welfare & Health Sciences  | Time: 2017 |  Link
Description: Background: In any aging society, the sociolegal construction of intergenerational relationships is of great importance. This study conducts an international comparison of a specific judicial issue: whether active labor unions have the legal right to strike for the purpose of improving the benefits given to nonactive workers (specifically, pensioners). Method: A comparative case law methodology was used. The texts of three different Supreme Court cases – in the United States, Canada, and Israel – were analyzed and compared. Findings: Despite the different legal outcomes, all three court rulings reflect a disregard of known and relevant social gerontology theories of intergenerational relationships. Conclusion: Social gerontological theories can play an important role in both understanding and shaping judicial policies and assisting the courts in choosing their sociojudicial narratives. © Southern Gerontological Society.