Studying constructions of aging manhood: Methodological considerations

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Gerontology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Aging masculinity research benefits from theories of intersecting inequality and context.
• Methodological care is crucial to avoid reification and false distinctions.

Approach:

• Revisiting published research to outline theory and methods minimizing reification risks.
• Reviewing theories of intersecting inequalities (age and gender) and institutional context.
• Focusing on methods requiring explicit gender mention or direct comparison of older men to others.

Key Points:

• Distinguishing aging masculinities through methods like interview research and popular culture analysis.
• Comparing white, middle-aged men in Finland and the U.S., and contrasting U.S. men with U.S. women.
• Examining constructions of manhood in later life across health, anti-aging, and caregiving domains.

Conclusions:

• Intersectionality and contextual factors, such as welfare states, significantly shape aging manhood.
• Emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches in studying diverse aging masculinities.