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The Ageless Self: Sources of Meaning in Late Life (Life Course Studies)

Name: The Ageless Self: Sources of Meaning in Late Life (Life Course Studies)
Price: 18.95 USD
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Rating: 4.4 (14 reviews)

4.4 of 5 Stars: Family Health - The Ageless Self: Sources of Meaning in Late Life (Life Course Studies)

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Book Synopsis: Among the many studies of aging and the aged, there is comparatively little material in which the aged speak for themselves. In this compelling study, Sharon Kaufman encourages just such expression, recording and presenting the voices of a number of old Americans. Her informants tell their life stories and relate their most personal feelings about becoming old. Each story is unique, and yet, presented together, they inevitable weave a clear pattern, one that clashes sharply with much current gerontological thought. With this book, Sharon Kaufman allows us to understand the experience of the aging by listening to the aged themselves. Kaufman, while maintaining objectivity, is able to draw an intimate portrait of her subjects. We come to know these people as individuals and we become involved with their lives. Through their words, we find that the aging process is not merely a period of sensory, functional, economic, and social decline. Old people continue to participate in society, and—more important—continue to interpret their participation in the social world. Through themes constructed from these stories, we can see how the old not only cope with losses, but how they create new meaning as they reformulate and build viable selves. Creating identity, Kaufman stresses, is a lifelong process. Sharon Kaufman's book will be of interest and value not only to students of gerontology and life span development, and to professionals in the field of aging, but to everyone who is concerned with the aging process itself. As Sharon Kaufman says, "If we can find the sources of meaning held by the elderly and see how individuals put it all together, we will go a long way toward appreciating the complexity of human aging and the ultimate reality of coming to terms with one's whole life."

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Discover the profound insights and wisdom of the elderly in The Ageless Self: Sources of Meaning in Late Life. Unlike other studies of aging, this captivating book offers a unique perspective by allowing the aged themselves to share their life stories and personal experiences of growing old. Through Sharon Kaufman's masterful portrayal of these individuals, we gain a deep understanding of the aging process and the creation of new meaning in late life. By listening to the voices of the elderly, we challenge the prevailing gerontological beliefs and discover the complexity and richness of human aging.

In this groundbreaking work, Kaufman sheds light on the myriad ways in which old people continue to engage with society and interpret their place in the social world. Their stories unveil a compelling pattern that contradicts prevalent notions of decline in old age. Instead, we witness the resilience and agency of the elderly as they navigate loss and forge new paths to self-fulfilment. The journey towards discovering identity is not limited to any particular stage of life but is an ongoing process—one that shapes our lives till the very end.

Regardless of your background or profession, The Ageless Self has something to offer. Students of gerontology, life span development, and professionals in the field of aging will find this book invaluable. Yet, it goes beyond academia; it speaks to anyone who is fascinated by the intricacies of human existence. Embracing the sources of meaning held by the elderly provides unique insights into the aging process and offers us profound lessons on coming to terms with our own lives.

Join Sharon Kaufman on this enlightening journey today and unravel the mystery of aging. Gain a new appreciation for the resilience, wisdom, and creativity of the elderly as they shape their own narrative. Learn how they find purpose and experience personal growth in late life. Make The Ageless Self your guide to understanding the complexity of human aging and embracing your own journey.

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