| Description |
xiii, 210 pages ; 24 cm |
| Contents |
1. Introduction. 'Old age' as a social construct. Outline -- 2. The context. Insights in the literature. Social activity is a good thing. The response to loss. Joiners: a special breed? Leisure and lifestyles. A dynamic life stage. Ageing and creativity. Old people are like everyone else. The issues of meaning. Methodological issues. 3. The social world of elderly joiners. The world of clubs. Gender. The programme. Peer group rituals. Benefits of membership -- 4. Fellowships of the aged. The women's fellowship. Benefits of membership. The significance of age and gender. The men's fellowship. An integrated community. A church career -- 5. Friendship. A special relationship. The activities of friendship. The significance of talk. An ideology of friendship. Two views of friendship. Boundaries of friendship -- 6. In sickness and in health. The perception of sickness. Norms of sickness behaviour. Health is a social phenomenon. Concepts of health and illness. Frailty and friendship -- 7. Encounters with death. Introduction. The literature of death and dying. A member dies. A good death versus a happy release. Life after death. Peer group support: the behaviour of survivors. Difficulties with death -- 8. Beliefs about ageing. Age as a rationalisation. Age in the church. The leadership issue. Age brinkmanship. Models of ageing. Old age as a moral category. Personal ecology -- 9. Age group solidarity. Cohorts and generations. Age and social status. The importance of continuity -- 10. Ageing associations. The issue of recruitment. Leaders and followers. The timing of transitions -- 11. Paths to friendship: possibilities for intervention. Goals of intervention. Tensions. Resistance. Volunteering as a way of life. Practical implications. Social bonds and mental health. Patterns of intervention. Barriers to intimacy. Conclusion -- 12. Conclusion. 'That's what it's all about'. The meaning of participation. Theoretical perspectives and future deeds. The strong face of ageing |
| Analysis |
Old persons Social conditions |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [199]-208) and index |
| Notes |
Also issued online |
| Subject |
Age groups.
|
|
Aging.
|
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Older people -- Social conditions.
|
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Older people -- Social networks -- Great Britain.
|
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Older people -- Great Britain -- Societies and clubs.
|
| LC no. |
93170878 |
| ISBN |
0748603743 |
|
