Titel
Orchestrating Ageing - A Field Approach Towards Cultural Disengagement in Later Life
Autor*in
Vera Gallistl
Division Gerontology, Department of General Health Studies, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Despite gerontology’s growing interest in culture, relatively little attention has been given to older adults’ participation in theater. This paper addresses this gap by developing field theory as an analytical tool to conceptualize processes of cultural disengagement in later life. Ten older individuals (60+ years) were invited to investigate their access to three different theater spaces in Vienna. The investigation was documented through participatory observations, qualitative interviews, and photo diaries. The results highlight three specific sets of rules that are relevant in theater: Rules about 1) the ageing body, 2) mobility, and 3) subjectivities. Furthermore, these rules are age-coded, which means that many of the rules visitors in theaters have to follow to be able to participate in theater are not easily followed by older adults. Finally, this article outlines the potential of field theory for gerontology and highlights the importance of studying processes of cultural disengagement in later life.
Stichwort
cultural gerontologyleisureparticipatory researchqualitative studytheater
Objekt-Typ
Sprache
Englisch [eng]
Persistent identifier
Erschienen in
Titel
International Journal of Ageing and Later Life
Band
16
Ausgabe
2
ISSN
1652-8670
Erscheinungsdatum
2022
Seitenanfang
11
Seitenende
32
Publication
Linkoping University Electronic Press
Erscheinungsdatum
2022
Zugänglichkeit
Rechte
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