Cultural Gerontology
About this book
The concept of culture has gained considerable attention within the humanities and social sciences in general, and this is certainly true in the field of gerontology. The new perspectives thus gained widen the scope of gerontology. In this study, chapter authors examine the growth of gerontology as a discipline, the phenomenon of ageism as a socio-cultural concept, identity politics in which older persons are perceived as belonging to a subculture, and images of the older body in cultural perspective. The manner in which gerontology emerged as a discipline was embedded in culturally defined views of aging that had consequences for how it was seen to vary between cultures. One consequence was a perception of ageism as a cultural construction. Since the 1980s, much of the politics of older people is a form of identity politics in which groups are mobilized to further their interests. Questions of cultural meanings ascribed to the gendered aging body is a central question for ageism, social identity, and self-image. These questions become especially relevant in confrontations with bodily decline and negotiations of intimacy in institutions for older people.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Contents
- Introduction
- 1 Time to Pay Back? Is There Something for Psychology and Sociology in Gerontology?
- 2 Utilization Patterns of Gerontology and the Dynamics of Knowledge Production
- 3 On the Possibilities of Spirituality and Religious Humanism in Gerontology or Reflections of One Aging American Cultural Historian
- 4 Ageism and Globalization: Citizenship and Social Rights in Transnational Settings
- 5 Positioning Gerontology in an Ageist World
- 6 Involvement in Social Organizations in Later Life: Variations by Gender and Class
- 7 The Secret World of Subcultural Aging: What Unites and What Divides?
- 8 Political Mobilization and Political Identity among Swedish Pensioners 1938-1945
- 9 The Making of Older Immigrants in Sweden: Identification, Categorization, and Discrimination
- 10 Women Aging and Body Talk
- 11 Body Memories of Aging Women
- 12 The Bodywork of Care
- 13 Going Concerns and Their Bodies
- 14 Dis-Membered Bodies—Re-Membered Selves: The Discourse of the Institutionalized Old
- Index
- About the Contributors