Age Studies
A Sociological Examination of How We Age and are Aged through the Life Course
- Susan Pickard - University of Liverpool, UK
Aging and Gerontology (Behavioral Science) (General) | Sociology of Age | Sociology of the Body
"With great rigour, yet an enviable lightness of touch, Susan Pickard has written an engaging and accessible book that students will love."
- Rosaline Gill, City University London
"A scholarly tour de force that brings into focus the various disciplines, histories, literatures and knowledges that have transformed us into modern subjects of age."
- Stephen Katz, Trent University
Age Studies takes an invigorating approach to the study of age and ageing in contemporary society. Encompassing ageing throughout the life course, taking in childhood, adolescence, mid-life and older age, and situated explicitly within a sociological disciplinary framework, Age Studies:
- Explores current social science debates on the study of ageing linking these to core sociological concepts.
- Links theory and application, using a variety of examples and international case studies
- Includes chapter summaries, further reading and guided questions.
A thought-provoking companion to advanced undergraduates and postgraduate student studying ageing, older people, social gerontology and related courses.
Susan Pickard is breathing life of cultural studies in aging studies which is to be applauded. It is an excellent, thought provoking and timely text.
Powerful use of text and images to engage students with key concepts and aims of the book.
Susan Pickard’s Age Studies is a scholarly tour de force that brings into focus the various disciplines, histories, literatures and knowledges that have transformed us into modern subjects of age. Each chapter is an exciting discovery of the paths by which the social has coursed through our lives in the most intricate and intimate ways.
This is a wonderful book which enriches the growing field of cultural studies of ageing, and brings to it a fresh, intersectional focus, and plenty of vivid contemporary examples. With great rigour, yet an enviable lightness of touch, Susan Pickard has written an engaging and accessible book that students will love.
Susan Pickard’s approach to age studies is comprehensive and compelling, writing about concepts of class and gender, the body and culture. This is no dry account of ageing. Each chapter includes questions for the reader to consider, and chapter summaries make the book accessible to students. Pickard has a beautifully clear writing style. She introduces us to the Hag, to media images, her own experiences, and how we can tell our own stories about ageing. Pickard’s book is an invaluable addition to the shelf of any researcher or student of sociology and related fields.
The book is well written but is probably more suited to a University course. I will use the information to cascade and supplement my teaching on Unit 4. (Development Through the Life Stages) The "talking points", provided at the end of each chapter serve as a basis for group discussions.
This is an accessible textbook for undergraduates. It gives a good review of sociological issues, and the questions and talking points at the end of each chapter are useful for stimulating debate. A good resource, especially for third years, with an interest in ageing issues.
I really enjoyed reading this book and immediately thought it would be an excellent resource for my Level 3 students
This has been recommended as essential reading because it has some great discussions on lifecourse and class. Especially the midlife and gender.
