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Fourth Ageism: Real and Imaginary Old Age

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Higgs

    (Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London W1T 7NF, UK)

  • Chris Gilleard

    (Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London W1T 7NF, UK)

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the issue of ageism and its salience in current debates about the COVID-19 pandemic. In it, we address the question of how best to interpret the impact that the pandemic has had on the older population. While many feel angry at what they see as discriminatory lock-down practices confining older people to their homes, others are equally concerned by the failure of state responses to protect and preserve the health of older people, especially those receiving long-term care. This contrast in framing ageist responses to the pandemic, we suggest, arises from differing social representations of later life, reflecting the selective foregrounding of third versus fourth age imaginaries. Recognising the tension between social and biological parameters of ageing and its social categorisations, we suggest, may offer a more measured, as well as a less discriminatory, approach to addressing the selective use of chronological age as a line of demarcation within society.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Higgs & Chris Gilleard, 2021. "Fourth Ageism: Real and Imaginary Old Age," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:11:y:2021:i:1:p:12-:d:493850
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carlos Miguel Ferreira & Sandro Serpa, 2020. "COVID-19 and Social Sciences," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-3, December.
    2. Carlos Miguel Ferreira & Maria José Sá & José Garrucho Martins & Sandro Serpa, 2020. "The COVID-19 Contagion–Pandemic Dyad: A View from Social Sciences," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fidel Molina-Luque & Ieva Stončikaitė & Teresa Torres-González & Paquita Sanvicen-Torné, 2022. "Profiguration, Active Ageing, and Creativity: Keys for Quality of Life and Overcoming Ageism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Chloé Silva Coelho & Emilie Joly-Burra & Andreas Ihle & Nicola Ballhausen & Maximilian Haas & Alexandra Hering & Morgane Künzi & Gianvito Laera & Greta Mikneviciute & Doriana Tinello & Matthias Kliege, 2022. "Higher levels of neuroticism in older adults predict lower executive functioning across time: the mediating role of perceived stress," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 633-649, September.
    3. Hunter, P.V. & Ward, H.A. & Puurveen, G., 2023. "Trust as a key measure of quality and safety after the restriction of family contact in Canadian long-term care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 18-27.

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