With the aspiration for a long life now achievable for many individuals, the status of old age as a distinct social position has become problematic. In this radical re-examination of the nature of old age, Paul Higgs and Chris Gilleard reveal the emergence of a ''fourth age'' that embodies the most feared and marginalised aspects of old age, conceptually linked to and yet distinct from traditional models of old age.

Inspired by the authors'' ground-breaking work on the third and fourth age and supported by extensive sociological, medical and historical research, Rethinking Old Age offers a unique and timely analysis of the fourth age as a ''social imaginary'' that is shaped and maintained by the social, cultural and political discourses and practices that divide later life.

It stands as a significant resource for students, academics and practitioners of sociology, ageing studies, gerontology, social policy, health studies, social work and nursing.


Format Häftad Omfång 184 sidor Språk Engelska Förlag Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Utgivningsdatum 2015-05-01 ISBN 9781137383983