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Postcolonial theory and old age: An explorative essay.

Rüdiger Kunow¹

¹Institute of English and American Studies, Chair of American Literature and Culture, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam,Germany.

Journal of Aging Studies

|December 4, 2016

Summary

This paper examines senior life using postcolonial theory, offering new perspectives beyond chronological age. It highlights how postcolonialism can enrich our understanding of later life, especially in the Global South.

Keywords:

Cultural theory Old age Positional difference Postcolonial aspects of old age Postcolonial theory Subalternity

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Area of Science:

Gerontology
Postcolonial Studies

Background:

Traditional understandings of old age often focus on chronological or individualized aspects.
Postcolonial theory offers a framework to analyze power dynamics and positional differences in life stages.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-examine senior life through the lens of postcolonial theory.
To integrate the materiality of senior life with postcolonial concepts.
To explore postcolonial aspects of aging in the Global South.

Main Methods:

Applying postcolonial theoretical concepts such as subalternity and hegemony to the study of aging.
Analyzing concrete examples of old age in specific locations within the Global South.
Reflecting on theoretical intersections between postcolonialism and gerontology.

Main Results:

Postcolonial theory provides valuable insights into positional differences and the influence of dominant structures on the experience of old age.
Attention to the material realities of senior life can amend potential blind spots in postcolonial thinking.
The intersection of postcolonialism and aging reveals complex theoretical challenges and opportunities for mutual enrichment.

Conclusions:

A postcolonial lens offers a more nuanced understanding of senior life, moving beyond simplistic chronological or individualized perspectives.
Integrating material realities with postcolonial theory enhances the analysis of aging experiences, particularly in diverse global contexts.
Further theoretical development is needed at the intersection of postcolonial studies and the study of aging.