Individualization, Aging Couples and Successful Aging

• In Event: 4266 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: 1. Aging Theory

Abstract

Due to increasing life expectancy late life became a longer, more crucial part of life. Also norms on aging changed, emphasizing agency and autonomy. How do social change, aging and relationships interrelate? What does aging mean for self-reflexive actors in individualized societies?
This study focuses on the ambivalence of social norms as successful aging, that might both activate and overburden individuals. This becomes salient when health and functionality have decreased profoundly. Young-old couples enjoy high relationship satisfaction. However, further aging, functional losses and approaching death threaten couples' well-being and functionality. Then norms of autonomy and independence become dysfunctional.
This mixed-methods longitudinal study uses data from three observations across five years. The final sample consists of 8 German couples (78-86 years old, 50-65 years married, high relationship satisfaction, white, urban, middle-class). How do couples experience aging and cope with limitations and finiteness? How do couples negotiate, decide and act on aging, autonomy and death? How does this reflect social changes such as individualization and strong norms of individual responsibility and autonomy?
Results show that couples have internalized autonomy ideals and benefit by shaping their aging and health trajectory positively. However, increasingly future is perceived as beyond the own control as agency is limited, acceptance of losses difficult and death salient. Autonomy needs become burdensome. This threatens the functional, sometimes even the emotional unity of elderly couples. This is, however, essential for independence. Individualization seems thus especially detrimental in late life when actors are dependent on solidarity and support from their relationships.

Author

• Markus Klingel, Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences