Active ageing ' is a key concept in current policy and research on ageing and yet is under-analysed or interpreted largely within an economic framework. This paper explores active ageing in the broader context of older people's lives. Drawing on a series of biographical interviews with 23 people aged 60-96 years, the discussion focuses on the theme of future hopes and concerns. Exhortations for ' active ageing ' may be challenged by a lifelong unwillingness to look forward or plan ahead. Nevertheless, the findings show that fears for a future of limited resources, decline and dependency can exist alongside not only the desire to live longer but also the positive anticipation of forthcoming events and strong intergenerational relations. 'Living for now ' and 'taking a day at a time ' -and by extension the accomplishment of everyday activities rather than the activity-driven goals of earlier years -are common strategies for dealing with the unpredictability of later life. In this respect, even stopping paid work and entering residential care may be actively chosen and empowering even though they are steps towards disengagement and dependency. Similarly, planning for death, such as writing (living) wills and making funeral arrangements, may be positive and proactive responses to beliefs and concerns about dying. ' Active ageing ' therefore needs to offer choices for life to be lived at all stages whilst recognising that much of the focus for older people is on ordinary needs, deeds and relationships.
The Representing Self-Representing Ageing initiative has been funded by the ESRC as part of the New Dynamics of Ageing cross-council research program. It has consisted of four projects with older women using visual research methods and participatory approaches to enable women to articulate their experiences of aging and to create alternative images of aging. Complex research processes were utilized. Innovative methods included the use of art elicitation, photo diaries, film booths, and phototherapy.
Transgender people are currently excluded from full citizenship in the UK. However, this is being challenged by a number of transgender groups. Sexual and feminist models of citizenship provide useful alternatives to mainstream models of citizenship, sharing a considerable amount of ground with transgender citizenship. However, transgender citizenship differs from sexual and feminist models in various ways. This article examines the commonalties and divergences between transgender citizenship and sexual and feminist approaches to citizenship, and explores some of the issues emerging in the area of transgender citizenship.
This article explores whether people with dementia demonstrate emotional reflexivity within their personal relationships. Previous research has suggested that they may lose their capacity for reflection as the disease progresses. In turn, it has also been assumed that they lack the reflexive abilities necessary to exercise agency within their daily lives. The authors draw on findings from a qualitative study of everyday decision-making by people with dementia and their spouses undertaken in England. The sample consisted of 21 couples, but to enable emotional reflexivity to be examined in depth, this article focuses on the emotional communication of six people with more advanced dementia. The research found that even when their abilities for deliberation, discourse and social interaction were limited, they could nonetheless demonstrate emotional reflexivity. As they also exhibited a capacity for imaginative agency, this suggests that intersubjectivity can be preserved in dementia even when social skills are apparently lost. key words agency • reflexivity • emotions • dementia • social relationships
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