Gerontology in the era of the Third Age

Serves as a comprehensive discussion about how the emergence of the Third Age has changed the way we think about and examine traditional frameworks regarding aging issues and the life course. Contributors introduce the discussion of the unique challenges and opportunities that older adults face while moving through this early phase of later life, proposing new frameworks, concepts, and methods to re-examine later life in the context of the era of the Third Age. They propose new ways of thinking about how we conceptualize the life course, think about the role of the welfare state in the lives of older people, negotiate social roles in later life, make meaning of our lives as we age, and cultivate relationships with others during later life. The authors bring together theoretical concepts and frameworks, methodological advances, and emerging themes and controversies that are redefining gerontology in the era of the Third Age. Highlighting important issues that warrant further exploration and discussion, they advance our understanding of the Third Age and focus attention on critical issues that should be addressed in future Third Age research and scholarly development. --From publisher description.