The liberalization of the aging: theoretical illusions and empirical anomalies

Abstract

The article bases on the materials of qualitative research of the lifestyle and problems of the pensioners of Ivanovo region (40 deep interviews; summer 2012). At issue is the conceptual dichotomy suggested by J. Vincent, notably ‘the liberalization of the old age’ vs ‘the liberalization from the old age’, which is  an attempt to impose on the society ‘the right’ model of aging. The empirical observations showed that there are three basic scripts of aging in contemporary provincial Russia: (1) the continuation of the prior (before the retirement) lifestyle; (2) living out one’s days; (3) the reorientation on the new forms of social and person self-fulfilment. The second is prevailing. There is shown it the article that there is a discrepancy between these scripts and aforementioned dichotomy. In fact, only the last script matches with the concept of the liberalization. 

Content (in russ)