City Research Online

Older women and everyday talk about the ageing body

Paulson, S. & Willig, C. (2008). Older women and everyday talk about the ageing body. Journal of Health P, 13(1), pp. 106-120. doi: 10.1177/1359105307084316

Abstract

This discourse analytic study shows how 10 older women, who exercise regularly or attend the University of the Third Age, adjust to the ageing body in their `everyday talk' through taking a dualist position. The part of the body which is discursively constructed as ageing becomes objectified through appealing to a wider cultural discourse of ageing as biological decline. This dualist position is embedded within a wider cultural discourse of personal agency. The individual's control of the ageing body is emphasized, the ability to monitor and manage `ageing body parts' through exerting the `active mind' and the `busy body' in activities, or simply focusing on `looking good'.

Publication Type: Article
Publisher Keywords: ageing body parts; biological decline; discursive constructions; dualism; personal agency
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments: School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology
Related URLs:
SWORD Depositor:
[thumbnail of Willig_Older_Women_Ageing.pdf]
Preview
Text - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (229kB) | Preview

Export

Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

Actions (login required)

Admin Login Admin Login