The first book in the new series Diversity and Aging, Laura Hurd Clarke's Facing Age examines the relationship between aging and women in a culture obsessed with youthfulness. From weight gain, to wrinkles, to sagging skin, to gray hair, the book explores older women's complex and often contradictory feelings about their bodies and the physical realities of growing older. Although the women in the book express discontent about their aging visage, they also emphasize the importance of functional abilities and suggest that appearance becomes less central in later life. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted over a ten year period, Hurd Clarke brings alive feminist theories about aging, beauty work, femininity, and the body. The book also discusses medicine and the aging appearance, with interviews from medical providers and women about treatments such as Botox injections and injectable fillers. This book makes an important and timely contribution to the discussion of gendered ageism and older women's experiences of growing older in a youth-obsessed culture.

Expert contributors summarize current research on women and aging.

Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences, Seventh Edition, provides extensive reviews and critical evaluations of research on the social aspects of aging. It also makes available major references and identifies high-priority topics for future research. The book is organized into four parts. Part 1 reviews developments in the field of age and the life course (ALC) studies and presents guidelines on conducting cohort analysis. Part 2 covers the demographic aspects of aging; longevity trends; disability and aging; and stratification and inequality research. Part 3 includes chapters that examine socioeconomic position and racial/ethnic disparities in health at older ages; the role of social factors in the distribution, antecedents, and consequences of depression; and aspects of private wealth transfers and the changing nature of family gift-giving. Part 4 deals with pension reform in Europe; the political activities of older Americans; the future of retirement security; and gender differences in old age. The Handbook is intended for researchers, professional practitioners, and students in the field of aging. It can also serve as a basic reference tool for scholars, professionals, and others who are not presently engaged in research and practice directly focused on aging and the aged. - Contains all the main areas of social science gerontological research in one volume - Begins with a section on theory and methods - Edited by one of the fathers of gerontology (Binstock) and contributors represent top scholars in gerontology

A Handbook on Aging: A Multidisciplinary Perspective with Critical Readingspresents research and scholarly readings on the experiences of older adults and the challenges they face. The anthology includes works from a variety of disciplines that serve to highlight the diversity and complexity of these issues in contemporary society. The text is organized into seven broad units, each featuring multiple chapters on topics including general perspectives and concepts related to aging, the various dimensions of aging, family caregiver experiences and challenges, interpersonal relationships, sexuality, and gender dynamics in aging, health, and the future of aging. All units have original introductions and conclusions that place the readings in a broader context, and question sets to use for in-class discussions or as writing prompts. A portion of the book is devoted to solution-driven interventions and policies that focus on positive aspects of aging and improved well-being. Broad in scope, thoughtful in coverage, and highly illuminating, A Handbook on Agingis an excellent resource for scholars, advanced undergraduates, graduate students, policy-makers, and practitioners in the fields of gerontology, social work, psychology, and family science. Gregory J. Harris earned his Ph.D. in human development and family science at Florida State University. He is now the university's Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs in the College of Human Science and a faculty member in the Department of Family and Child Sciences. Dr. Harris has been published in Aging Today and the American Journal of Health Studies. His research has been supported by grants from the State of Florida Office of Drug Control, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Here is a unique text that examines the lives of middle-aged and old women. Women, Aging and Ageism, in response to the lack of literature that focuses on aging women, presents timely and definitive research that illustrates the implications of ageism and sexism. This landmark volume challenges powerful myths and dangerous stereotypes and identifies the damaging restrictions that society forces upon aging women. In extending feminist research to middle and old age, the chapters taken together comprise a critique of the conditions of the last third of women’s lives. The authors use analytical tools and methodologies developed and modified by feminists to explore questions previously unasked. They focus on issues of deep concern to women at midlife and beyond, including the politics of reproduction, sexuality, social isolation, violence against women, equal opportunity, and the feminization of poverty.Women, Aging and Ageism is available for classroom adoption. Ideal for students and helping professionals working with middle-aged and old women and their families, this book provides models of effective interventions grounded in field research and clinical practice. For all readers concerned about middle-aged and old women and the quality of their lives, Women, Aging and Ageism is a rich resource filled with ideas and information and an affirmative new volume about the limitless possibilities of women’s achievement in midlife and old age.

In our youth-oriented, patriarchal society, aging and older women often find themselves either ignored, pitied, or feared. Women and Aging is a valuable guide to help women break through the negative stereotypes of old age and find personal fulfillment through the stages of maturity. Full of warmth and support, Women and Aging strongly enables women to take and remain in control of their lives instead of passively letting others make life-changing--and possibly harmful--decisions for them. This essential guide for aging will help women increase the vitality of their old age, as it urges them to continue to plan for the future, keep and develop strong relationships, increase their overall wellness, and not be afraid to take risks. Truly a celebration of aging, the author’s illuminating descriptions of her own aging and how she has overcome society’s restrictions are sure to be a source of inspiration for all women--no matter what their ages.Women and Aging begins by addressing cultural attitudes toward women, including appearance, language, behavior, and “women’s work.” The middle section encourages women to face their fears and limitations and express their emotions, while the concluding chapters are a virtual “guide to life,” showing how to live life to the fullest and find inner fulfillment while aging. Along with her own continuing narrative, the author includes a multitude of personal glimpses into the aging processes of other women. This uplifting, helpful book will be of great value not only for aging women, but for women of all ages who are interested in taking active control of their own lives.

The Handbook of Rural Aging goes beyond the perspective of a narrow range of health professions, disciplines, and community services that serve older adults in rural America to encompass the full range of perspectives and issues impacting the communities in which rural older adults live. Touching on such topics as work and voluntarism, technology, transportation, housing, the environment, social participation, and the delivery of health and community services, this reference work addresses the full breadth and scope of factors impacting the lives of rural elders with contributions from recognized scholars, administrators, and researchers. This Handbook buttresses a widespread movement to garner more attention for rural America in policy matters and decisions, while also elevating awareness of the critical circumstances facing rural elders and those who serve them. Merging demographic, economic, social, cultural, health, environmental, and political perspectives, it will be an essential reference source for library professionals, researchers, educators, students, program and community administrators, and practitioners with a combined interest in rural issues and aging.

The field of gerontology has often been criticized for being "data-rich but theory-poor." The editors of this book address this issue by stressing the importance of theory in gerontology. While the previous edition focused on multidisciplinary approaches to aging theory, this new edition provides cross-disciplinary, integrative explanations of aging theory: The contributors of this text have reached beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries to partner with researchers in adjacent fields in studying aging and age-related phenomena. This edition of the Handbook consists of 39 chapters written by 67 internationally recognized experts in the field of aging. It is organized in seven sections, reflecting the major theoretical developments in gerontology over the past 10 years. Special Features: Comprehensive coverage of aging theory, focusing on the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging A section dedicated to discussing how aging theory informs public policy A concluding chapter summarizing the major themes of aging, and offering predictions about the future of theory development Required reading for graduate students and post doctoral fellows, this textbook represents the current status of theoretical development in the study of aging.

Global aging, technological advances, and financial pressures on health and pension systems are sure to influence future patterns of work and retirement. This handbook offers an international, multi-disciplinary perspective, examining the aging workforce from an individual worker, organization, and societal perspective.