Successful Aging and the Maintenance of Age and Gender Relations

• In Event: 067 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 08. Creating and Maintaining Social Connection across the Life Course

Abstract

We show that the Successful Aging paradigm is ageist and reinforces gender inequality, because it never challenges the gendered ageism that affects when people become “old.” Respondents in our sample of middle-aged US men interpret successful aging as “not aging” to the extent that such avoidance of aging seems possible to them; and they judge this by standards that are themselves gendered. Respondents report worries over exclusion, marginality, and invisibility that come from aging. Further, both men and women voice fears of physical decline, and loss of health or mobility. However, women worried about loss of attractiveness while men were more concerned with bodies that perform. This gender split carries over to their anti-aging strategies: Men and women are equally likely to talk about modifying their diets, including taking supplements, and exercising; but women are far more likely to report using products and services that promised to change how you look. Men stressed the “fight” against ageism and their avoidance of the use of such beauty products as cosmeceuticals.

Authors

• Toni Calasanti, Virginia Tech

• Neal King, Virginia Tech