Browsing by Subject "Ageism"

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Challenging readers' perceptions of older women and the cultural narrative of ageism : a critical and creative thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Creative Writing, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2018) Allom, Marianne Barbara Jane
This Master of Creative Writing research project consists of a collection of short stories and an accompanying exegesis, “Challenging Readers’ Perceptions of Older Women and the Western Cultural Narrative of Ageism”. These works were written to explore how fiction narratives, short stories in particular, are able to portray women in Western society, past the age of fifty, in a way that reflects both the positive and negative aspects of her reality. One intention of my research is to challenge the negative cultural discourses which currently dominate the stereotypical way that younger people especially regard the older woman and her societal role. However, another intention is to challenge the older person’s internalised ageism which they have developed throughout their lives in a society that has perpetuated negative and destructive beliefs of and attitudes towards the older woman. The exegesis investigates contemporary research conducted by gerontologists, psychologists and cultural activists who expose the damaging effects on the older person and society as a whole, of the cultural narratives that exist around old age. In particular, the research indicates that current narratives have emanated from medical research which defines older age as a time of physical, mental and often emotional decline. The global conversation which began in the last fifty years after Robert Butler first used the term “ageism” in a public forum, identifies the need for change if people are to live through all the life stages with a healthier view of the culminating phases of life. At present, people’s health is compromised because they have been conditioned by society to believe that old age equals frailty, impairment and social isolation. The research reveals one of the most powerful ways of altering negative cultural narratives, is through fiction narratives in which writers imaginatively engage the reader in considering the reality of living to older age. The creative component further investigates the research in the narrative form of short stories which focus on the older woman or women as the protagonist. By championing the vitalities, complexities and intelligence of the older woman, I aim to join the global conversation which has begun and is exploring ways to challenge and adapt the societal view of older and old women.
The multidimensional model of attitudes to old age : an investigation based on attribution theory : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 1990) Counsell, Anthea Maureen
The multidimensional model proposes that both positive and negative attitudes toward older people exist across different dimensions. In the present study, academic and wisdom tasks were examined in an investigation of the dimension of type of task. The influence of contact with older people on attitudes toward them was also examined. In a between-subjects experimental design, university students (N = 296) read a description of an academic or wisdom task to be performed by a young or an old woman, and rated their expectancy of the woman's success. They were then told that the woman had succeeded or failed, and were asked how much her performance was due to age, and to Weiner-model causal elements. Both positive and negative attitudes toward older people were apparent. On the academic task the older woman's success was attributed to age where success was expected and to luck where success was unexpected. The younger woman's failure was attributed more to effort than was failure of the older woman while failure of the older woman was attributed more to age than was failure of the younger woman. Contact with older people had little effect on attitudes toward them. The implications of these findings for the multidimensional model and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Senior citizens? : old age and citizenship in provincial New Zealand communities : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University
(Massey University, 2002) Kerr, Alison Lassie
This research considers the extent and quality of the citizenship of older New Zealanders in the "Third Age", a stage in the adult life cycle between the second age of careers, partnership and parenting and the fourth and final phase of (usually) increasing dependency. The study questions: whether 'senior citizens' have access to the material and cultural resources to enable them to choose between different courses of action in their daily lives; whether existing intergenerational relations enable them to appropriate substantive rights and responsibilities; and what are the relational practices and processes, the networks and affiliations, through which citizenship may be 'performed' by older people? This research was carried out with six groups of elderly people in a range of communities in the province of Hawke's Bay on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The purpose of running six different focus groups, each over a six week period, was to generate discussion of the issues for older people as well as individual stories about the lives of elderly people in particular local communities. The aim was to investigate the meaning of old age for elderly New Zealanders by critically analysing the term 'senior citizen'. The study built on contemporary theories of ageing and citizenship, using a narrative collective life history approach in order to focus on older people's personal experience of policy, and the capacity for citizenship that they bring with them into old age. The study also identifies national and local government policies, national and local organisations, media representations of old age, local communities, families and the attitudes of elderly people themselves as important influences on the extent to which they are able to exercise and enjoy their rights and responsibilities as senior citizens. My central thesis is that senior citizenship depends on a civil society which supports autonomy and connectedness for all its citizens. The balance between these two aspects of citizenship is culturally determined and sensitive to outcomes in a range of social domains over the life span. Recommendations focus on self-determination and social inclusion for older people through anti-ageist policies and practices at the national and the local level, and further research into the plans and aspirations of senior citizens.
Successful ageing : a critical analysis : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Sociology, Social Policy, and Social Work at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2006) Holmes, Jeanne
The demographics and implications of the growth of the world's population of older people have been well publicised. Frequently, this is linked to concerns about growing demands for social services. In liberal western nations, this rise in the proportion of elderly people is occurring at a period in history when governments are attempting to contain state spending on health care and welfare. Within this context, the gerontological concept of 'successful ageing', which encourages productivity and self-reliance among older people, has emerged. The term 'successful ageing' was coined by R. J. Havighurst in 196l and developed by Rowe and Kahn into a gerontological concept in 1998. Rowe and Kahn's search to identify the factors "that conspire to put one octogenarian on cross-country skis and another in a wheelchair" led them to put forward the view that 'successfully aged' old people are those who remain healthy and socially engaged. The concept of successful aging is widely regarded as promoting well-being in old age. As a result, it has become highly influential in the fields of nursing, social work, and social care. However, the concept has also attracted criticism, mainly for praising the fortunate and privileged elders who have managed to prolong healthy middle age; whilst labelling unwell, disabled, and lonely old people as unsuccessful. In this thesis, my central criticism of the concept of successful ageing is that its definition of 'success' in old age is not based on the views and real life experiences of older people, but instead, on the expertise of scientists and researchers, many of whom have yet to experience the decline and losses normally associated with old age. Consequently, there is a significant difference between the concept of successful ageing and a proportion of elderly people regarding the requirements for the best possible old age. The purpose of this study is to discover the factors which a diverse group of old people regard as essential to optimal old age. It compares and contrasts their self-assessed components of well-being with the externally assessed components of 'successful aging'. The process involved in-depth research with thirty elderly people in New Zealand and the United States. The majority were women. Several ethnic groups were represented. Participants included First Nations people, first generation immigrants, and the descendants of European settlers. Although it was not intentional, my entire sample consisted of people who would have been defined as unsuccessfully aged by the 'successful ageing' paradigm. Yet these people showed resilience, resourcefulness, and often, great satisfaction with their lives. This research demonstrates that there is an incomplete fit between the factors, which older people say produce the best possible old age, and those promoted by the concept of successful ageing. It concludes that in order to promote optimum well-being among older people, it is necessary to take note of the experiences, views, and values of elders themselves.