Reconceptualising Exclusion from Civic Engagement in Later Life: Towards a New Research Agenda

Abstract

Social exclusion in later life remains a major challenge for ageing societies. Despite widespread acceptance of its multidimensional nature, research and policy debates have tended to focus on exclusion from material resources or social relations, overlooking other recognised dimensions of social exclusion. In this context, exclusion from civic engagement has been the least studied dimension. In this chapter, we argue that future research and policy initiatives should pay attention to four key dimensions of older people’s exclusion from civic engagement. First, we need to embrace the multidimensionality of the concept of civic engagement, which includes a range of qualitatively different activities. Second, it is essential to account for the diversity of the older population, since this shapes who is able to engage civically and in which ways. Third, attention should be paid to the dynamics and experiences of engagement across the life course, in order to understand better civic engagement trajectories. Fourth, we need to consider exclusion from civic engagement as a culturally-embedded process that is largely shaped by the particular socio-political context in which engagement occurs. We provide examples of recent research covering these dimensions of exclusion from civic engagement and conclude by proposing areas of further inquiry.

Optimizing Older Adult Mental Health in Support of Healthy Ageing: A Pluralistic Framework to Inform Transformative Change across Community and Healthcare Domains

“…Equitable access to relevant and appropriate programs and services is critical for enabling adults to prevent and self-manage mental health issues [ 71 ]. Equitable access to natural open spaces for instance is a feature of AFEs that improves the emotional and physiological health of older adults [ 90 ].…”

Ageing Activisms: A Narrative Exploration of Older Adults’ Experiences of Political Participation

“…This study was aimed at exploring older adults’ personal narratives of positive political participation episodes. Older people’s political participation has been largely overlooked in previous research on civic engagement in later life, which has mostly been focused on volunteering (Serrat et al, 2020; Serrat et al, 2021c). Addressing older people’s political engagement is, however, especially relevant in the current context of ageing populations, as it gives older people the opportunity to actively participate in democratic processes and have their voices heard (Barnes, 2005; Fung and Wright, 2001).…”

“…Despite these limitations, this study represents a contribution to the literature on civic engagement in later life. Previous literature has been mostly focused on older people’s volunteering, overlooking the ideological and political dimensions of their civic participation (Serrat et al, 2020; Serrat et al, 2021c). In light of this deficit, the focus of this research was on older adults’ political participation experiences, as a key dimension of civic engagement giving older people the opportunity to engage in democratic processes (Barnes, 2005; Fung and Wright, 2001).…”

“…Despite the increased interest in civic engagement in later life, research has focused mainly on volunteering, and far less studies have been carried out on other forms of engagement, such as political participation (Serrat et al, 2020; Serrat et al, 2021c). Moreover, while the antecedents and outcomes of civic engagement have been the focus of many studies, the experience and meaning of this participation from the perspective of those involved have scarcely been addressed (Serrat et al, 2021a).…”

What’s Keeping Residents “Out of the Mainstream”: Challenges to Participation in the News Media for Older People Living in Residential Care

“…Older adults are positively impacted in domains of health, wellbeing, and mortality when they participate in volunteering and civic engagement ( Gottlieb & Gillespie, 2008 ; Hinterlong & Williamson, 2007 ). However, older adults are often denied opportunities to participate civically ( Serrat et al, 2021 ). Barriers to civic participation for older adults may arise from resource and practical issues, such as family commitments; beliefs and attitudes about participation, such as lack of perceived impact; and organizational and contextual challenges ( Serrat et al, 2018 ).…”