Ageing, men and social relations : new perspectives on masculinities and men's social connections in later life

While there has been a gradual increase in scholarship on men, ageing and masculinities, little attention has been paid to the social relations of men in later life and the implications for enhancing their social wellbeing and counteracting ageist discourse. Bringing together scholars in social gerontology and the social sciences from across Global North and South nations, this collection fills the gaps in key texts by foregrounding older men’s experiences. It provides new perspectives across the intersections of old age, ethnicities, class and sexual and gender identity, paying particular attention to older men from seldom heard or marginalised groups. Front Cover Ageing, Men and Social Relations: New Perspectives on Masculinities and Men’s Social Connections in Later Life Copyright information Table of Contents List of tables Notes on contributors Series editors’ preface 1 Critical debates and themes on ageing, masculinities and social relations Introduction Why focus on older men and social relations in contemporary times? Critical perspectives on men, ageing and masculinities Structure of this volume References PART I Masculinities and social connections in later life 2 Exploring older men’s intergenerational friendships: masculinities, ageing and ageism Introduction Gender, masculinities and friendship Intergenerational friendship Intergenerational friendships of older men Fourth age stereotyping: sketching the ‘old fogey’ and the ‘old haggard’ Conclusion References 3 Generational masculinities: two generations of Chinese gay men in Hong Kong Introduction Generational sexualities and masculinities Method Colonial Hong Kong, breadwinner masculinity and the first gay generation Postcolonial Hong Kong, neoliberal entrepreneurial masculinity and the new gay generations Conclusion Acknowledgements References 4 Sexual health challenges, masculinity and responsive help-seeking among older Yoruba men in Ibadan, Nigeria Introduction Sexual health and masculinities in old age Methods Design and setting Participants and recruitment strategy Data collection instruments Data analysis Findings Profile of focus group participants The notions of sexual health challenges and needs in old age Natural interpretations of sexual infections Preternatural explanations and treatment options Supernatural explanations and treatment options Adoption of protective measures and help-seeking as exemplars Conclusion References 5 Sexuality ‘in apps’? Older men who have sex with men and their use of dating apps in Brazil Introduction About the study What are the characteristics of the older men who use dating apps? How do older men who have sex with men consume the apps? Self-reported sexual behaviour and the expression of sexuality in apps Conclusion References 6 Mobility and the impact of the physical and built environment on older men’s social connections Introduction Importance of mobility in later life Giving up driving in later life Walking in public space and physical activity Safety in public spaces Groups and leisure activity Aim Methods Research design Participants Procedure and tools Analysis Findings and discussion Infrastructure capital Social capital Cultural capital Individual capital Conclusion References 7 Older men’s informal coping practices for maintaining mental wellbeing: the importance of social connections and community groups Introduction About the research Findings Older masculinities and emotional distress: still a taboo subject Strategies for maintaining good mental and emotional wellbeing: having a busy routine and active social life Male social connections facilitating emotional talk Conclusion References PART II Ageing masculinities: transitions and transforming identities 8 Ageing men as changing men? Considering cultural and historical influences of the 1960s on masculinities and gender relations in later life Introduction Age, gender, masculinities and hegemony Situating masculinities and gender relation in later life (structural perspectives on ageing and gender) Social practices and enacted masculinities in later life (materialist-discursive perspective) Contemporary historical influences on gender relations The cultural revolution of the 1960s Conclusion References 9 The social world of dying older men: between autonomy and ‘bad deaths’ Introduction Background: demographic changes, dying trajectories and life expectancy Notions of ‘good deaths’: a brief historical overview Dying old men, autonomy and loneliness Dying old men and relations to others Conclusion References 10 Continuing bonds with deceased gay partners in mid and later life Introduction Method Recruitment and participants Design and materials Theoretical framework and data analysis Reflexivity and methodological rigour Key themes Staying connected with the deceased via memories Mourning rituals as a way to maintain connection The enduring role of the relationship Navigating loyalty to deceased partner in new intimate relationships Conclusion References 11 Shaken identities: ageing men’s experiences of two gendered cancers Introduction Cancer, ageing and masculinities Review of the qualitative literature Different chilling consequences Common narrative themes in the literature Body talk Resilience Conclusion References 12 Narratives of long-term loneliness: case study of two older men Introduction Narratives of loneliness Pauli and the loss of his mother in childhood Lauri and a longing for a lady friend Conclusion References 13 Supporting social inclusion in community-dwelling men with dementia Introduction Key theoretical concepts and my own research Dementia and stigma Supporting people with dementia Gender, masculinities and dementia Community-dwelling men with dementia Supporting the social inclusion of older men with dementia through technology Gaming technology and men with dementia Conclusion References 14 Future directions in studies of ageing, men and social relations Masculinities in later life: individual transitions and social change The impacts of age relations and ageism on older men’s social relations Intersectionalities in older men’s social relations and wellbeing Future directions and final reflections References Index While there has been an increase in scholarship on men, ageing and masculinities, little attention has been paid to the social relations of men in later life. This collection fills this gap by foregrounding older men's experiences, providing new perspectives across the intersections of old age, ethnicities, class and sexual and gender identity.