The appraisal of difference: Critical gerontology and the active-ageing-paradigm

Dyk, Silke van

doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2014.08.008

Cited by 97 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…However, I here use the term ‘critical’, in order to emphasize that I am taking an explicitly critical perspective regarding assumptions about trans ageing. Van Dyk () argues that critical gerontology has explored difference and diversity within older populations, but has not yet done enough to disrupt the concept of age thresholds itself, still tending to contrast older age against the unmarked default of middle age. She points out that this sameness/difference dualism, and its implications for notions of equality, has been a key area of enquiry for queer, feminist and postcolonial studies, and suggests that critical gerontology could usefully draw upon some of the post‐structuralist thinking from these fields in order to ‘queer’ old age, through considering relationships between age and the unmarked default, and considering how power relationships are reproduced and maintained.…”

Section: Transfeminism and Critical Gerontologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within critical gerontology, Baars () argues that while ageing can be understood as living within time, lived time is subjective and does not necessarily align with the passage of time as measured by a clock. Van Dyk () argues that temporality is fundamental to ageing studies, and that a critical perspective on ageing requires critique of chronology. Within trans studies, Amin () calls for a critical understanding of temporality, both in recognizing the role of the autobiographical genres highlighted by Stone () and others and by recognizing trans as a category that exists in a particular historical context.…”

Section: Temporality and The Lifecoursementioning

confidence: 99%

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Developing a critical trans gerontology

Toze

2018

British Journal of Sociology

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Within existing academic literature, ageing within trans populations has primarily been addressed from the perspective of offering advice to service providers and clinicians, with relatively limited application of critical sociological perspectives. This article seeks to integrate the critical perspectives on gerontology with transfeminism, identifying areas of commonality regarding accounts of an integrated lifecourse, scepticism of biomedicalization, and an emphasis on local context. The article suggests that this integration provides a fruitful basis for developing future research into the study of trans ageing, and also provides theoretical development across many debates around age, gender and the lifecourse.

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Section: Transfeminism and Critical Gerontologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Temporality and The Lifecoursementioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a critical trans gerontology

Toze

2018

British Journal of Sociology

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“…Professionally, successful aging has grounded what Silke van Dyk [11] terms 'Happy Gerontology,' which stresses 'continuities between midlife and independent/active later life' (p. 93). In the political and policy realms, concern over the potential burden of aging populations on healthcare and social service budgets has led to enthusiastic embrace of 'active' aging as underpinning 'success'-measured here largely by lack of dependence on the state in later life.…”

Section: The Problem With 'Successful Aging'mentioning

confidence: 99%

Queering Aging Futures

Sandberg

Marshall

2017

Societies

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This paper explores the potential for cultural gerontology to extend its ideas of diversity in aging experiences by opening space to rethink conceptions of successful aging futures. We propose a 'queering' of aging futures that disrupts the ways that expectations of a good later life and happy aging are seen to adhere to some bodies and subjectivities over others. Drawing on feminist, queer, and crip theories, we build on existing critiques of 'successful aging' to interrogate the assumptions of heteronormativity, able-bodiedness and able-mindedness that shape the dividing lines between success and failure in aging, and which inform attempts to 'repair' damaged futures. Conclusions suggest that recognizing diversity in successful aging futures is important in shaping responses to the challenges of aging societies, and presents an opportunity for critical cultural gerontology to join with its theoretical allies in imagining more inclusive alternatives.

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“…In a neoliberal society, being a productive member of society is essential in determining the individual's value for society (Cruikshank 2013, van Dyk 2014. Negative views of ageing are frequently based on the perception that physical and mental decline hinder older people's active participation in society.…”

Section: Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…And what about the surely predominant group of elderly people who are not physically and mentally as fit as they used to be? The cultural narrative of successful or productive ageing contributes to the marginalisation and discrimination of anybody who does not adhere to these standards and puts enormous pressure on those trying to fulfil them (Chivers 2011, Gullette 2004, van Dyk 2014. However, a closer look at The Expendables and The Expendables 2 reveals that despite following the cultural narrative of successful ageing in its main storyline, other narratives are developed alongside this narrative.…”

Section: Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Declining to Decline: Aged Tough Guys in 'The Expendables' and 'The Expendables 2'

Bühring

2017

JEA

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Old age is in western cultures under current neoliberal ideology increasingly linked to notions of decline, frailty and dependence as it is often equated with being unproductive and a burden to society. This case study is grounded in the belief that to change socio-cultural patterns one must first understand them. Consequently, this article aims to analyse the socio-cultural (re)production of narratives of ageing in general and of narratives of male ageing in particulara topic often neglected in academic debates of ageing. Mass media today hold an enormous influence on the development and maintenance of socio-cultural standards. As such, their products need to be taken seriously even if their content might seem superficial and frivolous. A critical analysis of commercially highly successful Hollywood action films The Expendables and The Expendables 2 will shed light on the cultural narratives of male ageing revealed in the two films and subsequently support a better understanding of the strategies used to transform narratives of decline commonly linked to ageing into stories of success and progress.

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The appraisal of difference: Critical gerontology and the active-ageing-paradigm

Cited by 97 publications

References 30 publications

Developing a critical trans gerontology

Developing a critical trans gerontology

Queering Aging Futures

Declining to Decline: Aged Tough Guys in 'The Expendables' and 'The Expendables 2'

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