Intersections of Aging Readings in Social Gerontology

Elizabeth W. Markson and Lisa A. Hollis-Sawyer's interdisciplinary, student-accessible anthology explores the diversity of experiences in aging--integrating ethnic, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, and historical variations throughout the book. Intersections of Aging provides students with compellingly written and challenging articles that will promote intellectual growth and increase understanding of aging and related issues. The text examines the following questions: * How do race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic position shape the life course of older people's lives? * Is there one standard or many for "successful aging"? * Why do groups and individuals differ from one another in old age? * What are the prospects for the aged of tomorrow? Intersections of Aging delves into these and other issues--combining academic and clinical articles with literary and personal accounts. It includes discussions of: * Historical, social, and cultural constructions of old age * The importance of incorporating race, ethnicity, gender, and social class into models of aging * How older people construct their self-concept, individuality, and actions in old age--and how this affects the meaning, value, and purpose of their lives * Current health and well-being concerns * Social and family relationships * Work and retirement issues * Policy and politics shaping old age * Future directions in the 21st century Markson and Hollis-Sawyer provide articulate, intelligent introductions to each unit and each article. This material provides a coherent framework for each article as well as a "road map" for students. No other social gerontology anthology offers as much material on the interconnections between discrimination, diversity, and social class that shape the many ways in which we grow old--whatever our heritage may be.