Theorising the relationship between older people and their immediate social living environment

Abstract

This article presents a theoretical framework for exploring the dynamics between older people and their immediate social living environment. After introducing a gerontological perspective that goes beyond microfication, a literature review presents findings from studies that have explored the role of place and locality for older people. Next, this contribution seeks to broaden the conceptual field by introducing key dimensions of the relationship between older people and their social environment. A critical investigation of underlying assumptions and constructions of older people within certain research traditions that address the social environment is presented. In conclusion, the role of the social environment is underlined as a dynamic, multi-dimensional, historically and spatially contextualized process that both shapes and is shaped by the experiences and practices of older people.

Acknowledgements

We very much appreciate the comments and suggestions made by the members of the scientific research community Plurality and Diversity in Urban Contexts: Interdisciplinary Study of Democratic Practices and Governance. We would also like to thank Jan Baars, Peter Derkx, Anja Machielse and Alexander Maas for some helpful remarks in discussions about ‘ageing well’. Finally, we are grateful to the editors and anonymous reviewers for their feedback and constructive commentary.

Notes

1. This is important because there is a tendency in scholarly work to ‘de-contextualize’ human ageing from the environment, the day-to-day surroundings in which ageing really takes place (Peace et al. 2007).

2. But see McNeill et al. (2006) for an overview in the context of health research.

3. For example dimensions of social exclusion in urban settings as a consequence of neighbourhood change; arising from pressures operating in the urban environment; and through economic development and growth, most notably in association with globalization (Phillipson 2007).

4. Relationships with partner, family members, parents, son(s)-in-law/daughter(s)-in-law are left out of the neighbourhood networks.

5. In addition to loss-based selection, selection can also be based on individual preferences, that is, elective selection.

6. Education and training for governance and active citizenship in Europe