Shaping Ageing: Social Transformations and Enduring Meanings

This volume explores the complex and multifaceted aspects of aging, considering how social transformations impact experiences, perceptions, and representations. It brings together international scholarly work from various disciplines, offering cross-cultural and comparative studies that challenge generalizations and reductivism. The book appeals to scholars in social sciences, particularly sociology, gerontology, demography, social policy, and cultural studies, with interests in aging and later life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the multifaceted and often conflicting aspects of aging, exploring how contemporary social transformations shape the experience, perception, interpretation, and representation of aging. Organized thematically, it brings together the latest scholarly insights from across the globe to examine theories and narratives surrounding aging and the impact of space and place on identity and the experience of old age. By combining micro and macro perspectives, as well as theoretical and applied research, this interdisciplinary volume offers cross-cultural and comparative studies that eschew overgeneralization and reductivism, aiming to shed new light on our understanding, attitudes, and responses to aging in the modern world. As such, it will appeal to scholars across the social sciences, particularly sociology, gerontology, demography, social policy, and cultural studies, with interests in aging and later life.

The first section of the book explores the theoretical frameworks and perspectives on aging, examining how social, cultural, and psychological factors influence the way we perceive and experience aging. Contributors discuss the role of social institutions, such as the family, healthcare system, and workplace, in shaping attitudes toward aging and the experiences of older individuals. They also explore the impact of globalization, technology, and media on the representation of aging and the ways in which these factors shape public perceptions and attitudes.

The second section examines the experiences of aging across different cultures and societies. Contributors explore the diverse ways in which older individuals navigate the challenges and opportunities of aging, including the impact of cultural norms, values, and beliefs on the experience of old age. They also consider the role of social support networks, intergenerational relationships, and community engagement in promoting well-being and resilience among older adults.

The third section focuses on the impact of space and place on aging. Contributors examine how urbanization, rural migration, and the changing landscape of social institutions affect the experiences of older individuals. They explore the ways in which physical environments, such as housing, transportation, and access to healthcare, can impact the health and well-being of older adults and the strategies that individuals and communities use to adapt to these changes.

The final section of the book considers the implications of aging for social policy and practice. Contributors discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population, including the need for innovative policies and programs to support older adults' health, social inclusion, and economic security. They also explore the role of older individuals in shaping social policy and the ways in which they can be empowered to participate in decision-making processes.

In conclusion, this volume offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of aging, providing a rich understanding of the complex and multifaceted aspects of this life stage. By bringing together the latest scholarly work from across the globe, it offers valuable insights into the theories, narratives, and experiences of aging, and the ways in which these factors are shaped by social transformations. It will be of interest to scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working in the fields of aging and later life, as well as those with broader interests in social sciences.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367495961