Aging: Narrative micro-sociology versus globalization

Abstract

The social psychology of globalization brings a constant sense of flow, identity loss and of destabilization. It is as if one is always just next to or near, but not quite at the point of meaning and of significance. Radical (postmodern) theory, celebrates just these circumstances and feelings (Deleuze & Guattari, 1987, A thousand plateaus. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press; 1996, Anti-Oedipus: Capitalism & schizophrenia. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press). In this article, the results of depth interviews with two life-care or continuing-care community residents, illustrate the social psychology of flow, involution, and the rhizomic on the experiential level. The micro-psychological narratives of those studied; display their fear for globalization's de- and re-territorializations. For the elderly, the phenomenology of bodies-without-organs may be more threatening than liberating. Moreover, for researchers, the “petits récits” of narrative research, may remain normatively crucial.

• Globalization and aging
• the social-psychology of globalization
• ethnographic narrative
• Deleuze & Guattari

Notes

1. By a ‘humanist political agenda’ I mean one that fosters interaction resonating I <> thou <> they relatedness and supports a social order without humiliation (see Letiche, forthcoming)

2. We studied how the elderly chose where to live. Policy makers have tried to see the choice of place of residence from the point of view of rational choice consumption models, (i.e. the most value for the least money), but their models failed in practice to predict behavior. The interviews revealed that the elderly prioritized social continuity and identification. Where do I have friends, past contacts and a sense of belonging, played a dominant role when they chose care and/or place of (future) residence?

3. In comparison to American standards this is still a bargain—US rates for a comparable residence are ±one million dollars entrance free (refundable on the relinquishing of the lease) and $5,000 to $7,500 per month service fees for a couple; here there were no entrance fees