The Lost Daughter: Gerontological Reflections on the Life Course Perspective's Missing Plot

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• The film "The Lost Daughter" presents a complex portrayal of maternal experience.
• Gerontology often focuses on macro-level life course transitions, potentially overlooking individual psychological states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-examine the film "The Lost Daughter" through a gerontological lens.
• To highlight the significance of enduring social-psychological states in the life course perspective.
• To explore the intersubjective dimensions of aging and emotional states.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the life course perspective from gerontology.
• Analyzing the film "The Lost Daughter" for its depiction of past experiences and their present impact.
• Applying concepts of social-psychological states (guilt, reprieve, resentment) to gerontological theory.

Main Results:

• The film "The Lost Daughter" illustrates that the past profoundly influences present emotional and psychological states.
• The life course perspective, when focused on macro-level transitions, may neglect the persistent effects of early-life social-psychological states.
• An intersubjective reading reveals how individual emotional landscapes shape the experience of aging.

Conclusions:

• Persisting social-psychological states are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the life course in gerontology.
• An intersubjective approach enriches gerontological theory and practice.
• Gerontological social work can benefit from considering the long-term impact of individual emotional experiences.