Private and public ageing in the UK: the transition through the menopause. / Ballard, K.; Elston, M.; Gabe, Jonathan.
In: Current Sociology , Vol. 57, No. 2, 2009, p. 269-290.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Private and public ageing in the UK: the transition through the menopause. / Ballard, K.; Elston, M.; Gabe, Jonathan.
In: Current Sociology , Vol. 57, No. 2, 2009, p. 269-290.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Private and public ageing in the UK: the transition through the menopause
AU - Ballard, K.
AU - Elston, M.
AU - Gabe, Jonathan
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Accounts of ageing often employ the metaphor of a mask and suggest that individuals are motivated to present a youthful image. Drawing on interview data, we reveal that women aged 51-57 years distinguish between what we call ‘public’ and ‘private’ body ageing, both of which have an impact on age-resistance. Public ageing is visible, arising from physical changes in body appearance. These changes have the potential for concealment through age-resisting activities. Private ageing is less visible and arises largely from physiological changes within the body, which were perceived by women as irreversible indicators of ageing. This obduracy of the body led women to perceive themselves as ageing and also deterred them from participating in age-resistance. In contrast to masking theories, our study shows that most women in their 50s wanted to project a socially acceptable image that reflected their subjective sense of growing old.
AB - Accounts of ageing often employ the metaphor of a mask and suggest that individuals are motivated to present a youthful image. Drawing on interview data, we reveal that women aged 51-57 years distinguish between what we call ‘public’ and ‘private’ body ageing, both of which have an impact on age-resistance. Public ageing is visible, arising from physical changes in body appearance. These changes have the potential for concealment through age-resisting activities. Private ageing is less visible and arises largely from physiological changes within the body, which were perceived by women as irreversible indicators of ageing. This obduracy of the body led women to perceive themselves as ageing and also deterred them from participating in age-resistance. In contrast to masking theories, our study shows that most women in their 50s wanted to project a socially acceptable image that reflected their subjective sense of growing old.
U2 - 10.1177/0011392108099166
DO - 10.1177/0011392108099166
M3 - Article
VL - 57
SP - 269
EP - 290
JO - Current Sociology
JF - Current Sociology
SN - 0011-3921
IS - 2
ER -