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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Consumers, identity and old age | | Author(s) | John Vincent |
| Journal title | Education and Ageing, vol 14, no 2, 1999 |
| Pages | pp 141-158 |
| Keywords | Consumer ; Consumer choice ; Personality ; Attitude ; Social characteristics [elderly]. |
| Annotation | Two related issues of old age and identity are explored. First, what is the relationship between age per se and identity? That is to say, what are the consequences for people's identity of the duration of their life? The second theme is that of consumption. How do the cultural characteristics of consumer society affect those whose identity has formed over a long period of time? Social life has an unfolding quality, and length of life (i.e. ageing) in this sense can have consequences for identity. Theories that we are what we consume have become popular. It is suggested that we take our identities from purchases which are no longer for use value, but for symbolic value. Older consumers have distinctive characteristics. The effects or potential effects of consumption on age-related identities are first, the structure of merchandising - what is sold, to whom, and how? - and secondly, consumer history both personal and collective. Consumption plays a key part in identity, but those with a long personal history and limited future also have to make their identity meaningful from other sources. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-000229231 A |
| Classmark | WY: WYC: DK: DP: F |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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