[Senior years, subjectivation, and biopolitics].

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social History
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Modern Western history witnessed a conceptual shift in understanding the aging process.
• Previous interpretations of aging are being superseded by the contemporary concept of "senior years."

Observation:

• The emergence of "senior years" as a distinct signifier and concept.
• An interdisciplinary examination of this historical transition across social, economic, political, and familial domains.
• Analysis of subjectivation forms specific to the "senior years."

Findings:

• The historical context of modernity reveals a significant redefinition of aging.
• Theoretical perspectives from psychopathology and neurology offer insights into this redefinition.
• The elderly face social exclusion within the historical trajectory of modernity.

Implications:

• Understanding the evolving social construction of aging is crucial for gerontological studies.
• The findings necessitate a re-evaluation of policies and societal attitudes towards the elderly.
• This research highlights the intersection of historical context, social exclusion, and the subjective experience of aging.