Insights

Defining ageing with a multiperspective lens means that there are numerous ways in which people live their experiences of growing old. A wealth of ageing knowledge and an inflation of ageing concepts and theories are revealed in both media and the scientific literature. Understanding the ageing process from various quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research findings contradicts lackadaisical and narrow-minded views. To define ageing from a single perspective may stifle the rich content of the many meanings of feeling old, being old and growing old.

Life span human development, according to Sigelman, Rider and De George-Walker (2013), is “best viewed from multiple perspectives”. To this end, ageing may be viewed from many different points of view. There are numerous ways of establishing what ageing means for many people from all walks of life. According to Rohr (2011), there are two halves of life – “the task of the first half of life is to create a proper container for one’s life and the task of the second half of life is, quite simply, to find the actual contents that this container was meant to hold and deliver”. Apparently, many cultures are preoccupied with the first half of life with people spending most of their ageing years in establishing identity and security, as well as integrating their sexuality and gender roles. For this reason, many people transition into the third age with narcissistic views and eventually never grow up.

Ageing, as a whole, may be defined from multiple perspectives (Talob, 2013). A multiperspective lens is vital in recognising the numerous variables and themes that may define what it means to age. From a baseline perspective, defining this concept may involve quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. In research practice, a standard multiple regression analysis may reveal correlates and predictors filtered from questionnaire data to establish definitions. Content analysis may unravel dominant and emerging themes extracted from interview data to further refine definitions. From an integrated perspective, variables core to the concept of ageing and variables critical to building an empirical definition may be identified from all these combined or mixed-methods research outcomes.

Similarly, the gender lens is vital in recognising the disparities and overlaps that may result in defining concepts and examining constructs from the feminine and masculine perspectives. Ageing may contain concepts that have feminine overtones. The appropriate application of the gender lens may acknowledge the diverse qualities of the ageing experience in females and males and prevent biases that may impact on the authenticity of its definitions. There are no stringent steps and procedures in ageing. Rohr (2011) stated that “no Pope, Bible quote, psychological technique, religious formula, book, or guru can do your journey for you”. In essence, there is no pure doctrine or scientific knowledge that can provide men and women with perfect instructions on how to age. Ageing means many things to different people. If having a meaningful life, being happy with all their wishes coming true, phasing out of productivity in retirement, feeling safe, having close and intimate family relationships, keeping strong social support networks, being religious and spiritual, staying positive and resilient, living an honourable life, or preserving youthful appearances is what makes ageing a graceful and happy one, then these meanings need to be respected. Age does not define people in the first place. Fundamentally, ageing comes with the same human rights that people are born with.

Ageing is neither an exclusively feminine concept nor a woman’s domain contrary to earlier views (Talob, 2013). Every older men and women have discrete defining moments of how they age. The depth and richness of gender-based meanings of ageing say it all. We have to recognise the distinct ways older men and older women describe what ageing means to them.

Age is therefore not just a number. It is a precious number that tells us to see the world around us from many perspectives and celebrate the richness of our life on earth.

Ageing is not one-size-fits-all. We all grow old, get older and greet old-age to our heart’s delight! 

References:

Rohr, R (2011). Falling upward: A spiritually for the two halves of life. San Francisco, California: Jossey Bass.

Sigelman, C K, Rider, E A & De George-Walker, I (2013). Life span human development (Australian and New Zealand Edition). South Melbourne, Victoria: CEngage Learning Australia.

Talob, E R C (2013). A mixed methods approach to redefining graceful ageing in the Australian and Philippine contexts. A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.