Key Concepts in Social Gerontology [Hardcover]

Social gerontology is a new and dynamic field reflecting the increasing interest in aging across the world. This book provides a readily accessible guide to well established and contested issues, as well as new concepts emerging through cutting edge research in the discipline. The entries give concise, lucid knowledge on what constitutes the 'building blocks' of social gerontology and sets out a clear review of the core concepts, both classic and emerging, in this subject area. Each concept is explored in terms of its history, application, usefulness to theory and research, and significance in practice.Social gerontology is a new and dynamic field reflecting the increasing interest in aging across the world. This book provides a readily accessible guide to well established and contested issues, as well as new concepts emerging through cutting edge research in the discipline. The entries give concise, lucid knowledge on what constitutes the 'building blocks' of social gerontology and sets out a clear review of the core concepts, both classic and emerging, in this subject area. Each concept is explored in terms of its history, application, usefulness to theory and research, and significance in practice.I welcome this book’s refreshing approach to developing an understanding of fifty major concepts being employed in social gerontology. Far from a dictionary, the concepts are portrayed as complex, and conflicting definitions and usages are both noted and evaluated. The joint UK-US authorship promotes a much needed international approach to the field—something all too lacking in most American textbooks and theoretical articles. Each article includes a (necessarily selective) set of references, and cross-references to other concepts included in the book. Readers might enjoy a ‘follow the cross-reference’ adventure, which will situate each concept in a set of related concepts at the same, a broader, or a narrower level. Moreover, tl#'