IELTS WRITING TASK 2.

Some people believe that it is a good idea that older people continue to work if it is possible for them to do. Do you agree or disagree?

It is generally argued that the elderly should be encouraged to remain employed as long as they are able to do so. I somewhat agree with this as this can ease the financial burden on a state’s economy and protect elders from mental illnesses; however, I still believe that this also exacerbates youth unemployment.

There are two reasons behind my belief that the old should continue their role in the workforce if it is feasible. First, this may help mitigate the financial burden on nations. The aging population in Japan perfectly exemplifies this. Since the vast majority of Japanese citizens are health-conscious and tend to maintain a healthy lifestyle for most of their life, the life expectancy of this nation is increasingly higher. This means the country has to impose heavy taxes to sufficiently cover the spiraling cost of health care and pay retirement pensions for older people. Therefore, the exclusion of older people from the labor force can allow countries to allocate their revenues to other core domains.

A further rationale is that this can help prevent mental disorders. Admittedly, staying at home may inadvertently make them believe that they are an inconvenience to the community since they contribute less to the economy and need more money to cover healthcare fees. Nevertheless, should they be enabled to continue to work, they may feel a sense of worthiness and satisfaction, hence mental wellness.

However, it can also be said that allowing oldsters to remain employed may beget youth redundancy. Admittedly, the labor force is already intensely competitive as many are vying for lucrative callings and positions. Therefore, older people keeping their jobs means that fewer occupations are left for young job seekers to fill.

In conclusion, I partially agree that older people keeping working can lessen the financial burden on the government’s economy and safeguard elders from negative feelings. Nonetheless, this will also engender a number of redundant young people.