This collection of readings presents a variety of perspectives on ageing from different communities across the United States: Native American, Puerto Rican, African American, the elderly homeless, white working class, gay and Mexican amongst many others. The readings cover topics such as: life course; social and psychological contexts of ageing; paid and unpaid activity; the American family; and health.

Aging and Later Life examines the range of issues raised by aging in contemporary society. The collection is unique in combining academic and practitioner analyses with personal accounts. By taking a multidisciplinary approach that includes literary, historical, sociological, policy, psychological, and clinical perspectives, this lively and informative collection features essays by major authors and includes discussions of cultural aspects of self-image and identity, current concerns relating to health and well-being, and the reality of power and control in the care of older people. It also explores concepts and values that shape our understanding of aging, issues of policy and politics, and historical perspectives on aging and the possibilities for the future. Aging and Later Life is an invaluable sourcebook for students, practitioners, and researchers in social gerontology, sociology, psychology, health, and social work. "It is a real pleasure to recommend this very pleasing collection, which is a welcome addition to any gerontology library, personal or public." --Baseline

This groundbreaking book provides comprehensive treatment of the political economy of aging by a scholar widely credited as the founder and key thinker of this field in the US and internationally. The body of work presented in this volume, in developing this critical perspective, aims to contribute to the understanding of old age and aging in the context of problems and issues of the larger social order in the world's most advanced capitalist nation, the U.S.A. Since Estes' first writing on the political economy of aging in 1979, there has been growing recognition and incorporation of her critical perspective as one of the major paradigms in the field of aging.

Providing a foundation for understanding the requirements and goals for health promotion in the elderly, this book provides an overview of health promotion needs and objectives for aging populations.

Providing a comprehensive overview of issues of ageing from a global perspective this ambitious text introduces the reader to a wide range of issues and policies on ageing. Topics examined include: theoretical perspectives on ageing in society; demographic trends; roles played by older people as political actors; migration; health; pensions; family and institutional care; and elder abuse. This will be an essential text for students of social gerontology, as well as an invaluable resource for students of nursing, social work, social policy and development studies.

Providing a comprehensive overview of issues of ageing from a global perspective this ambitious text introduces the reader to a wide range of issues and policies on ageing. Topics examined include: theoretical perspectives on ageing in society; demographic trends; roles played by older people as political actors; migration; health; pensions; family and institutional care; and elder abuse. This will be an essential text for students of social gerontology, as well as an invaluable resource for students of nursing, social work, social policy and development studies.

This book is unique because of the focus on longitudinal studies and international perspectives.... There is no other book like it' - Rosemary Blieszner, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A very strong volume... This book will clearly be a "must-have" for scholars interested in midlife' - Michael Marsiske, University of Florida Midlife is no longer an "uncharted territory" in human development. A group of outstanding researchers from different countries focuses on this peak period in the life span... Various views, including historical, cultural, and socio-structural perspectives, are adopted... Comprehensive reviews of studies on almost all relevant domains of human development... are given and provide a colorful picture of what midlife in these days may be all about' - Sigrun-Heide Filipp, University of Trier, Germany Middle adulthood, generally defined as the period from age 40 to age 65, is a critical period of the life course. Experiences in adolescence and young adulthood can impact how we function in midlife, as can sociocultural factors. Furthermore, how we develop in middle age – the central period of our lives - can influence how well we cope in our later years. Middle Adulthood explores these issues by bringing together, under the guidance of editors Sherry L Willis and Mike Martin, a distinguished group of international contributors associated with a range of prestigious longitudinal studies. Key features: - Presents a much-needed longitudinal, lifespan perspective on middle age; - Provides a multicultural perspective to determine universal normative patterns of midlife development; - Addresses a broad scope of topics, including historical perspectives on the emergence of middle age as a normative developmental period in the life course, change and stability in personality, and cognitive development and decline. Middle Adulthood is designed for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of adult development and ageing in the departments of Developmental Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Gerontology, Family Diversity and Health.