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Foreword

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

Amanda Grenier
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Summary

This book captures the essence of the ‘Ageing and the Lifecourse’ series, based on critical gerontology and lifecourse perspectives. Drawing on US and European literature it provides a refreshing, topical and challenging approach to the dominant models of later life, and by highlighting the increasing diversity in experience and changing social context it gives an opportunity to rethink the notion of transitions in later life. It sets out a framework for looking at the changing understandings and concepts of later life and has considerable relevance for appropriate policy and practice responses.

Transitions are fundamental to our experiences across the lifecourse, particularly in later life. As the book highlights, there are various underlying tensions in arriving at a common interdisciplinary definition of ‘transition’: whether it has fixed stages or is a fluid process, is about continuity or change, and the tension inherent when viewing transitions within normative age- and stage-based assumptions.

For many, a fixed view of change into decline in older age is a one-way street of service provision; but Grenier challenges this, putting forward fresh models for rethinking transitions in later life that call for a more flexible approach, and one that does not stigmatise those who do not fall within the concept of successful or healthy ageing. Her analysis is based on a review of theory, policy and practice and centrally incorporates older people's voices. The contemporary context in which ageing occurs and the increasing diversity of the ageing experience along with the attention to subjectivity has challenged our notions of transitions and can enable policy and practice to move forward with more flexible arrangements.

Students and academic scholars in gerontology, professionals in social work and social care practice and policy makers who base their actions on their understandings of change and transition in later life will be attracted to this text.

Type
Chapter
Information
Transitions and the Lifecourse
Challenging the Constructions of 'Growing Old'
, pp. ix - x
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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  • Foreword
  • Amanda Grenier, University of Toronto
  • Book: Transitions and the Lifecourse
  • Online publication: 01 September 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.46692/9781847426932.001
Available formats
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Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Foreword
  • Amanda Grenier, University of Toronto
  • Book: Transitions and the Lifecourse
  • Online publication: 01 September 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.46692/9781847426932.001
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Foreword
  • Amanda Grenier, University of Toronto
  • Book: Transitions and the Lifecourse
  • Online publication: 01 September 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.46692/9781847426932.001
Available formats
×