The Gerontologist
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Holstein, M. B.
Right arrow Articles by Minkler, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Holstein, M. B.
Right arrow Articles by Minkler, M.
The Gerontologist 43:787-796 (2003)
© 2003 The Gerontological Society of America

Self, Society, and the "New Gerontology"

Martha B. Holstein, PhD1, and Meredith Minkler, DrPH2

1 Department of Religious Studies, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
2 School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley.

Correspondence: Address correspondence to Martha B. Holstein, 360 W. Wellington, 16A, Chicago, IL 60657. E-mail: marthaholstein{at}ameritech.net

The "new gerontology," built on the concept of successful aging, sets forth the preconditions for and the end product of the process of aging successfully. Focused on health and active participation in life, it vests largely within individuals the power to achieve this normatively desirable state. While acknowledging the contributions of the scientific base for Rowe and Kahn's successful aging model, we emphasize the need for a more careful examination of the model itself. Using critical gerontology as a primary filter, we critique this normative vision by focusing on its unarticulated (and perhaps unexplored) values, assumptions, and consequences. We argue that these unexamined features may further harm older people, particularly older women, the poor, and people of color who are already marginalized. We conclude by suggesting forms of resistance to this univocal standard.

Key Words: Critical gerontology • Successful aging • Feminist philosophy




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Journal of Transformative EducationHome page
M. A. Kluge
Re-creating Through Recreating: Using the Personal Growth Through Adventure Model to Transform Women's Lives
Journal of Transformative Education, April 1, 2007; 5(2): 177 - 191.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of Research in NursingHome page
E. Hanson, L. Magnusson, J. Nolan, and M. Nolan
Developing a model of participatory research involving researchers, practitioners, older people and their family carers: An international collaboration
Journal of Research in Nursing, July 1, 2006; 11(4): 325 - 342.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 GerontologistHome page
M. Martinson and M. Minkler
Civic Engagement and Older Adults: A Critical Perspective.
Gerontologist, June 1, 2006; 46(3): 318 - 324.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of Applied GerontologyHome page
J. Angus and P. Reeve
Ageism: A Threat to "Aging Well" in the 21st Century
Journal of Applied Gerontology, April 1, 2006; 25(2): 137 - 152.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Copyright © 2003 by The Gerontological Society of America.