Social Welfare, Aging, and Social Theory - Hardcover

Powell, Jason L; Chamberlain, John Martyn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0739147773 ISBN 13: 9780739147771

Publisher: Lexington Books, 2012

Synopsis

Social Welfare, Aging and Social Theory explores how we can understand the changing relationship between social welfare and human aging. The book begins by reviewing how historical changes in society impacted on shaping emergence of scientific approaches to understand and problematize and bio-medicalize aging as akin to an illness and disease. The discussion moves to trace how particular social science theories were developed to reinforce negative perceptions of aging. The book also develops its own reflexive approach with in-depth examples of social welfare in national, international and global contexts in how aging is theorized in the postmodern world were alternative possibilities can be encountered.

About this title

About the Author:

Jason L. Powell is divisional head of social sciences at University of Central Lancashire.

John Martyn Chamberlain is a lecturer in criminology and social policy at Loughborough University.

Review:

Social Welfare, Aging and Social Theory provides a significant critique of dominant theories in social gerontology. It covers a wide range of theoretical perspectives whilst offering a coherent perspective based around Foucauldian ideas. The links drawn between theory and practice are especially welcome and should ensure a wide readership.

Social Welfare, Aging, and Social Theory is a book which lives up to its ambitious title. Now, more than ever, we need a book which can help us connect the dots and make sense of our lives in an aging society. This book delivers on that promise. (Harry R. Moody, Director of Academic Affairs, AARP)

This important book locates aging at the heart of social theory and challenges many taken-for-granted assumptions in gerontology as well as popular culture. It provides a powerful antidote to dominant biomedical and behavioral science models of aging as inevitable decline and should be read by all students of gerontology and social theory. (Alan Walker, University of Sheffield)

About this edition

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0739147773
• ISBN 13: 9780739147771
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 194