Exploring Older Men's Intergenerational Friendships: Masculinities, Ageing and Ageism

File Type:
PDFItem Type:
Book ChapterDate:
2023Author:
Access:
openAccessCitation:
Elliott O’Dare, Catherine. and Ernesto Vasquez del Aguila. 2023. “Exploring Older Men’s Intergenerational Friendships: Masculinities, Ageing and ageism.” In Willis, P., I. Pietilä and M. Seppänen (Eds.), Ageing, Men and Social Relations: Global Perspectives on Masculinities and Men’s Social Connections in Later Life (19- 34). Bristol: Policy PressDownload Item:
Abstract:
The importance and benefits of friendship to the well-being of older adults has been
extensively explored in research. This chapter examines the social construction of older age
and later life by men (aged 65 and over) in the context of a particular ‘type’ of friendship,
namely, intergenerational friendships. Intergenerational friendship is understood as a
friendship between a younger and a significantly older adult, who are not related. This
chapter discusses how older men negotiate age and ageing in their everyday lives, with and
through their intergenerational friendships. We conclude that older men do not conform to
the representations of older people as being disengaged and a ‘burden’. Within the realm of
ageing masculinities and intergenerational friendship, these men perceive themselves as an
equal ‘partner’, giving, and taking in equal measure, challenging expectations of what older
people ‘should’ do and be. The research and conclusions presented have implications for
policy and practice, in contributing to the understanding of how older men seek enjoyment
and belonging in later life.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/elliotDescription:
PUBLISHEDBristol, UK
Author: Elliott O'Dare, Catherine
Other Titles:
Ageing, Men and Social RelationsPublisher:
Policy PressType of material:
Book ChapterAvailability:
Full text availableSubject (TCD):
Ageing, ageism, intergenerational solidarity, friendshipDOI:
https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447363088.ch002ISSN:
978-1-4473-6305-7Metadata
Show full item recordThe following license files are associated with this item: