Unmasking age: The significance of age for social research

by Bill Bytheway

Overview

What is age? A simple question but not that easy to answer. 'Unmasking Age' addresses it using data from a series of research projects relating to later life. This is supplemented by material from a range of other sources including diaries and fiction. Drawing on a long career in social research, Bill Bytheway critically examines various methods and discusses ways of uncovering the realities of age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847426185
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	06/29/2011
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Bill Bytheway was trained as a statistician and has worked in social research for over 40 years. He is a founding member of the British Society of Gerontology and edited the journal, Ageing & Society, between 1997 and 2001. He is a member of the Academy of the Social Sciences and is a visiting Research Fellow with the Open University.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introducing age; A nuisance variable?; Chronological age is significant; How old are you?; Age in time; Representations of age; Growing older and older; The later life perspective; Getting real.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This book’s breadth reflects the richness of a senior social gerontologist’s research, productively combining quantitatively-based accounts with diaries and fiction." Jenny Hockey, University of Sheffield

"The lived experience of ageing is the centerpiece of this valuable book. Extracts from interviews, diaries, letters, and novels provide for richly textured discussions of the many meanings of age, becoming older, and being old. Fine reading, indeed." Jay Gubrium, University of Missouri, USA

Editorial Reviews

Bytheway reviews his research, which spans four decades, to explore the dynamic process of aging rather than the more static notion of age as an unchanging construct. In this way, Bytheway seeks to ‘unmask’ age by exploring how aging subjects reflect upon their lives as they live them. He offers numerous details and examples of his work that uses rich data from diaries, fiction, demography, and market research to provide a nuanced and accessible review of how his interaction with the subject has evolved over time.”—Choice

Choice

" Let me start by saying I'd urge absolutely everyone who has a professional concern for ageing to read this book." Hilary Burrage, New Start magazine "Bytheway succeeds in challenging our preconceptions...For this reason, the book can assist social researchers, at any stage of their career, to design and implement innovative projects related to age and ageing." Ageing & Society

"Bill's book is to be recommended - and not just for oldies - (whatever they are)." Dorothy Sheridan MBE, University of Sussex " 'Unmasking Age' is a tour de force. It is a real page turner in the sense that it is so illuminating and intellectually accessible. I have ordered copies for the library and will certainly use it as a course textbook next year." Marvin Formosa, University of Malta

"This book provides an excellent overview for anyone looking for an introduction to age studies, or an interesting re-examination and drawing together of past research for those already familiar with the work of Bytheway." British Politics and Policy at LSE Blog "He offers numerous details and examples of his work that uses rich data from diaries, fiction, demography and market research to provide a nuanced and accessible review of how his interaction with the subject have evolved over time." CHOICE

From the Publisher