scholarly journals Aging as Otherness: Revisiting Simone de Beauvoir’s Old Age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Gilleard
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Other ◽  
Subject Position ◽  
Bad Faith

Abstract Aging has been given short shrift as a topic in philosophy. The aim of this article is to redress this neglect by revisiting some of the key philosophical issues in Simone de Beauvoir’s book, Old Age. In her notion of old age’s unrealizability, its impossibility of fully embodying a subject position, and the role played by the other in denying such subjectivity, she draws upon the work of both Heidegger and Sartre. The dilemma she repeatedly draws attention to, of always seeming to age in ways other than as one’s self, raises the question of whether any view of aging as an authentic subjectivity may be no more than, in Heidegger’s words, a “chimerical undertaking.” In examining how the concepts of bad faith and inauthenticity are used by Heidegger and Sartre, the article concludes that for both these writers, an authentic subject position can be maintained in later life, without ending up as the otherwise inauthentic subject of others’ collective imaginary of “a good age.”

The other Victorians: age, sickness and poverty in 19th-century Ireland

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (06) ◽  
pp. 1157-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRIS GILLEARD
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
19Th Century ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Other ◽  
British Isles ◽  
Great Famine ◽  
Victorian Period ◽  
The 19Th Century

ABSTRACTDrawing primarily upon data from the various censuses conducted in Ireland after the Act of Union in 1800, this paper seeks to elucidate the changing position of older people in Ireland during the Victorian period. Following the Great Famine of 1845–1849, it is argued, Ireland was transformed from a young, growing country to one that, by the end of the 19th century, had become ‘prematurely’ old. By the end of Victoria's reign, not only had Ireland grown ‘old’, but its older population were more likely to be identified as paupers. Later-life expectancy decreased and sickness and infirmity among the over-60 s increased. By employing a stricter form of ‘less eligibility’ in the drafting and implementation of the Irish Poor Law, proportionately more older people received indoor relief than outdoor relief compared with the rest of the British Isles. Not until the Old Age Pensions Act in 1908 did these disparities begin to change, by which time many of these ‘other’ Victorians had passed away.

Ageism and the Unrealizability of Old Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-110
Author(s):  
Chris Gilleard
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Subject Position ◽  
Simone De Beauvoir ◽  
Subject Positions ◽  
Object Position ◽  
The Social

This article addresses the topic of ageism through the lens provided by Simone de Beauvoir concerning the subjective “unrealizability” of age. In her book, Old Age, she adopted the terminology of existentialism to argue that old age was one of the “unrealizables”: phenomena that can be grasped only through their “otherness.” Old age, in her view, can only ever be understood as an object position, or rather a multiplicity of object positions, none of which aligns with the experiencing self. This inherent otherness of age provides a ready template for viewing agedness as an undesired, undesirable, and fundamentally alien characteristic. The outwardly ageing subject’s view of him- or herself remains always ageless, distinct from such otherness, experienced as more real than any self-reflected aged other. But while age’s unrealizability may sustain the individual’s subject position as ageless, it risks perpetuating the devaluation of the aged as always a collective other. Rather than demanding a resolution of such object and subject positions, I suggest that a more realizable goal may be to accept this inevitable opposition and focus instead upon improving the objective conditions of later life. Enriching the actual relations of care might constitute such an objectively “realizable” goal, one that is also in keeping with the social intent of de Beauvoir’s book.

scholarly journals Aging as Readiness and Wariness

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 475-475
Author(s):  
David Ekerdt
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Other ◽  
Residential Relocation ◽  
The Future

Abstract Gerontology concerns itself with events in time, either things that have happened or things that may happen. In the former, our work is to describe and explain. In the latter, the occurrence of events is unknowable, but we can nonetheless study people’s imagination of them (how it arises) and how that imagination shapes behavior and attitudes in the present (how it matters). The subjective experience of aging, thus, is one of looking ever forward—welcoming, waiting for, or hoping to avoid what the future may hold. This personal experience of aging toggles between readiness and wariness of the time ahead, one stance incurring or else eclipsing the other. Transitions are fruitful opportunities to study people’s readiness and wariness toward the time ahead, for example, widowhood, the prospect of retirement, and residential relocation. This is when people are more likely to conjure, in their minds, whom they may become. Arguably, the fundamental transition that looms and occupies aging minds (and the minds of loved ones) is not death but rather the potential passage into the “fourth age” of frailty and vulnerability. This prospect hovers above all else: its occurrence increasingly likely but its timing uncertain. About this prospect, gerontology has the capacity, nay the obligation, to promote narratives about later life that shape wariness and readiness for the practical future (e.g., financial matters, bodily care, living arrangements) as well as for the emotional reception of an old age coming ever closer.

Images of Aging in the Psychotherapeutic Context

GeroPsych ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva-Marie Kessler ◽  
Catherine E. Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Process ◽  
Images Of Aging ◽  
Client Communication

Both psychotherapists and their clients have mental representations of old age and the aging process. In this conceptual review, we draw on available research from gerontology, social and developmental psychology, and communication science to consider how these “images of aging” may affect the psychotherapeutic process with older clients. On the basis of selected empirical findings we hypothesize that such images may affect the pathways to psychotherapy in later life, therapist-client communication, client performance on diagnostic tests as well as how therapists select and apply a therapeutic method. We posit that interventions to help both older clients and therapists to reflect on their own images of aging may increase the likelihood of successful treatment. We conclude by making suggestions for future research.

Starość w nauczaniu św. Bazylego Wielkiego

Vox Patrum ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 339-348
Author(s):  
Bogdan Czyżewski
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Spiritual Maturity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Interesting Aspect ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Physical Suffering ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
Almost All

Although St. Basil did not live 50 years, the topic of the old age appears in his works quite often. On the other hand, it is clear that Basil does not discuss this issue in one par­ticular work or in the longer argumentation. The fragmentary statements about old age can be found in almost all his works, but most of them can be found in the correspondence of Basil. In this paper we present the most important ad the most interesting aspect of teach­ing of Basil the Great. As these certificates show that the bishop of Caesarea looked at the old age maturely, rationally estimated passage of time, which very often makes a man different. He experienced it, for example as a spiritual and physical suffering, which often were connected with his person. He saw a lot of aspect of the old age, especially its advan­tages – spiritual maturity and wisdom. What is more, he pointed also to passage of time, which leads a man to eternity, which should be prepared to, regardless how old he is. In his opinion fear is not seen opinions of St. Basil present really Christian way of thinking, well-balanced and calm.

Perceived Stress Predicts Subsequent Self-Reported Problems With Vision and Hearing: Longitudinal Findings From the German Ageing Survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752110273
Author(s):  
Markus Wettstein ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Vera Heyl
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Middle Adulthood ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Demographic Indicators ◽  
German Ageing Survey

Although stress is a risk factor for various diseases in later life, its role for sensory abilities in the second half of life has rarely been empirically addressed. We examined if perceived stress at baseline predicts self-reported difficulties with vision and hearing 3 years later. We also explored whether chronological age is a moderator of associations between stress and sensory difficulties. Our sample was derived from the German Ageing Survey and consisted of n = 5,085 individuals aged 40–95 years ( M = 64.01 years, SD = 10.84 years). Controlling for baseline self-reported sensory functioning, socio-demographic indicators, self-rated health and chronic diseases, greater perceived stress at baseline predicted greater self-reported difficulties with vision and hearing 3 years later. The effect of stress did not vary by age. Our findings suggest that, from middle adulthood to advanced old age, stress is a risk factor for increases in self-perceived problems with vision and hearing.

scholarly journals Understanding diversity in later life through images of old age

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Enßle ◽  
Ilse Helbrecht
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Conceptual Debate ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Images Of Old Age

Abstract This article aims to enhance the conceptual debate on diversity in old age by exploring the interplay of diversity in later life and images of old age. We argue that the analysis of images of old age on the micro-level is a fruitful methodology in order to unravel the meaning of diversity in later life. Drawing on findings from qualitative research in Berlin, we explore how new and diverse imaginations, experiences and lifestyles of old age emerge. The conceptual focus on images of old age enables us to investigate further what diversity in later life comprises and how it simultaneously fosters the genesis of new images of old age. The manifold new images we found in our research suggest that prevalent societal discourses about old age on the macro-level are rather deceptive and represent mostly stereotypes such as ‘active agers’ or ‘frail and dependent elders’. We offer three explanations why alternative images of old age are currently barely present in public discourse: (a) the actors transmitting images of age; (b) the institutionalisation of the images; and (c) the challenge to communicate complexity. We conclude by suggesting that images of old age are a promising starting point to explore and make visible both the diversity of social groups within the older generation as well as the heterogeneity of older individuals.

Consultative Council of Western Powers

1950 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-149
Keyword(s):  
Social Security ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
The Other ◽  
Medical Assistance ◽  
Bilateral Agreements ◽  
Industrial Injuries ◽  
Foreign Ministers

The seventh session of the Consultative Council took place in Paris on November 7, 1949 under the chairmanship of M. Robert Schuman. Two conventions regarding social matters were signed by the five foreign ministers. The first, closely linked with the network of bilateral agreements on social security already negotiated or in the course of negotiation, would have enabled nationals of these countries to take advantage of any of these bilateral agreements, no matter in which of the five countries they resided or had resided. The benfits covered by these agreements included sickness, old age, death, maternity, industrial injuries and prescribed occupational diseases. The second convention was based on the principle that a national of any of the five countries requiring social or medical assistance, but without sufficient resources, when resident in the territory of any of the other four, would receive such assistance from the latter country on the same basis as its own nationals.

scholarly journals (Re)production of Inequalities in Retirement Practices and Meanings Assigned to the Term ‘Retiree’ in the Post-Communist Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Urbaniak
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Productive Aging ◽  
The Other ◽  
New Wave ◽  
The Social ◽  
The One ◽  
Life Course Transition

In the institutionalized life course transition from work to retirement is the transition that culturally defines the beginning of later life. However, there is no universal way of experiencing retirement or understanding retirees’ social roles. Especially in the context of the post-communist, liquid modern reality in Poland. The social role of the retiree, defined as a set of rules and expectations generated for individuals occupying particular positions in the social structure, is constructed at the intersection of what is culturally defined and individually negotiated. Therefore, the way in which individuals (re)define term “retiree” and “do retirement” reflects not only inequalities in individual resources and attitudes, but also in social structure in a given place and at a given time. In this contribution, I draw upon data from 68 qualitative interviews with retirees from Poland to analyze retirement practices and meanings assigned to the term “retiree.” Applying practice theory, I explore the inequalities they (re)produce, mirror and reinforce at the same time. Results show that there are four broad types of retirement practices: caregiving, working, exploring and disengaging. During analysis of meanings assigned by participants to the term “retiree,” two definitions emerged: one of a “new wave retiree” and the other of a “stagnant retiree.” Results suggest that in the post-communist context, retirement practices and meanings assigned to the term “retiree” are in the ongoing process of (re)negotiation and are influenced on the one hand by the activation demands resulting from discourses of active and productive aging, and on the other by habitus and imaginaries of retirement formed in the bygone communist era. Retirement practices and definitions of the term “retiree” that emerged from the data reflect structural and individual inequalities, highlighting intersection of gender, age and socioeconomic status in the (re)production of inequalities in retirement transition in the post-communist context.

scholarly journals The work market awake for aged people

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
Ana Maya Goto Uyehara
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Professional Life ◽  
The Other ◽  
Job Market ◽  
Aged People ◽  
Current Concerns ◽  
Life Projects

At the end of XX century, the old age theme has been approached due to concern of the society with the quality of man’s life in the aging process and the fact of seniors correspond to a growing representative portion of the population in the quantitative point of view. So the aging changes in a problem that wins expressiveness and legitimacy in the field of the daily current concerns. This article intends to demonstrate that the work can articulate other life projects for the seniors and to avoid psychic pathologies in the old age that can appear due to the loss of personal identity, to the involvement lack in motivated activities or starting from the adoption of inadequate consumption ways or lifestyles. For this, this article assumes a line of preventive character explanation under two slopes: the first refers to the fact that, if the work ennobles the man, he must acquire or improve this individual competences, adapting them to the new demands of the job market to get a job, or even to reactivate his professional life because new life projects. The second slope follows the direction of the discovery of the seniors’ potentialities for the companies, which can adapt the qualities [and limitations] of this workers category to the various functions in the organization. The Brazilian entrepreneur needs to be attentive to the image of his company and the differential competitive that can distinguish it of the other companies. And this can be to employee senior people or to maintenance it in the company personnel staff.

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