Centre for Policy on Ageing



Choosing not to be old? — masks, bodies and identity management in later life
Author(s)	Simon Biggs
Journal title	Ageing and Society, vol 17, part 5, September 1997
Pages	pp 553-570
Keywords	Ageing process ; Sociology, Social Science ; Mental health [elderly] ; Theory ; Literature reviews.
Annotation	In this paper on the increasing use of mask motifs to examine questions of identity in later life, two approaches are analysed. First, consideration is given to a postmodern 'mask of ageing' (Featherstone and Hepworth, 1989), key elements of which include consumer culture and the ageing body. Secondly, psychodynamic conceptions of masquerade and the use of personae are examined: discussion centres on expanded personal potential in the second half of life, and protection against a hostile social environment. A developmental model of social masking is proposed. Whilst there are superficial similarities in the use of masking, these traditions are shown to have radically different ideas concerning the core contradictions of an ageing identity. Implications for identity management and the status of the body, midlifestyle and authenticity in later life, plus the need for subtlety in research methodology, are drawn out.
Accession Number	CPA-971117004 A
Classmark	BG: S: D: 4D: 64A
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.