Description
Book SynopsisThis book is a rich exploration of the baby boomers - those coming of age in the sixties and now entering old age - the influences that have shaped how they perceive ageing appearance, how they define ageing and beauty, and the meaning of appearance, beauty, and identity. The book draws from a variety of sources from ageing research, history and gender studies and a diverse group of interviewees.
The longevity revolution and shifting notions of identity coalesce as older women and men seek to find new modes of self-presentation as they age. Ageing is a profoundly embodied process, yet older people's concerns about appearance and beauty is perceived, by many, as trivial or a function of consumer society. Investigating notions of appearance and beauty as a core human concern, the author explores Western cultural notions of beauty. What then is beauty in old age? Is it even a possibility given the history of youth and aesthetic preference? The book seeks to bring forward ideas of age and beauty as defined by baby boomers, how they see themselves and how they are seen.
Trade ReviewWoodspring, a visiting research fellow at University of the West of England, presents her findings after interviewing baby boomers from both the US and UK about aging, beauty, and society's expectations of older adults. Interview excerpts, along with current research on issues like attractiveness, sexuality, and longevity are included. The material is divided into particular topics such as men's take on appearance, women and appearance, mortality, and passion. Of particular note is the chapter discussing how the rest of us "see" older people, especially women. What assumptions do we make? How are the elderly portrayed in our art and entertainment? -- Annotation ©2018 * (protoview.com) *
'I would recommend it as a timely prompt for class discussion, future research questions and further inquiry, personal pondering, and thoughtful conversation, especially among Baby Boomers.' -- Ruth Ray Karpen
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1. Shaping Appearance and Beauty Chapter 2. Women on Appearance Chapter 3. Men on Appearance Chapter 4. What We Know and What We See Chapter 5. Living with Mortality Chapter 6. The Appearance of Beauty Chapter 7. A Passion for Life.
