G5 Doctoral dissertation (article)
Aktiivinen ikääntyminen : diskurssin rakentuminen eri konteksteissa (2024)
Active ageing : the construction of discourse in different contexts
Kiuru, H. (2024). Aktiivinen ikääntyminen : diskurssin rakentuminen eri konteksteissa [Doctoral dissertation]. Jyväskylän yliopisto. JYU Dissertations, 806. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0231-6
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kiuru, Hilla
eISBN: 978-952-86-0231-6
Journal or series: JYU Dissertations
eISSN: 2489-9003
Publication year: 2024
Number in series: 806
Number of pages in the book: 1 verkkoaineisto (115 sivua, 68 useina numerointijaksoina, 4 numeroimatonta sivua)
Publisher: Jyväskylän yliopisto
Place of Publication: Jyväskylä
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: Finnish
Persistent website address: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0231-6
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Abstract
This study examines active ageing, which is a powerful discourse within the politics of ageing. This discourse has been shown to be present in the programs of international and national organizations, such as those of the European Union and World Health Organization. Governments have also been motivated to look for solutions to the challenges associated with the older adults of ageing populations. Older adults are thus expected to age in an active way: to work longer, participate in volunteer work and informal care, live in a healthy way, use technology, and prepare for ageing. Despite a range of research on the issue, there is no universally accepted definition of active ageing. In this study, active ageing is understood as a discourse that is produced as well as affected by academic and political discussions concerning active ageing and changes within the welfare state. This study investigates the concept of active ageing using newspaper editorial pages, policy documents of municipalities, and interviews with older adults. The data are examined using content analysis guided by theory, Foucauldian discourse analysis, new rhetoric and actor-network theory. Overall, various meanings for active ageing were found in the data, including longer careers, volunteer work, political activity, ageing in place, healthy lifestyle, use of technology, smaller activity, and adapting activities. The role of the surrounding society, family and services was essential, because they supported the activity of the individual. There were also hindrances for activity, such as poverty, and resistance, such as a refusal to use technology. The discourse was produced in different ways in different contexts and also contained contradictions. For example, political activity was seen in a more positive way in policy documents than it was in the editorial pages of Helsingin Sanomat. The discourse is produced via subdiscourses and with rhetorical devices such as association.
Active ageing relies on an ideal where the individual human is as independent and resourceful as possible. The discourse of active ageing builds a subject position where the individual should be as active as possible while also being supported by the environment, services, and loved ones. However, there is a risk of precarity in the lack of services and support which should be considered when talking about active ageing.
Keywords: ageing; norms; older people; activity (properties); discourse; contextuality; doctoral dissertations
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
