Ageing Through a Transitions Lens

Collection editors: Prof. Judith Sixsmith

In Les rites de passages, originally published in 1909, van Gennep introduced the notion that people’s lives consist of a series of transitions that are characterized by three periods where changes in physical, psychological, emotional or situational events cause them first to separate from their understanding of themselves prior to the change, second to enter a (liminal) period of transition and finally to assimilate the changes into a new conceptualization of themselves (2013). Since then, various different theories of transition have been developed to explain the phenomenon of transition . " Ageing Through a Transitions Lens" is a special issue journal collection of articles that explores the everyday experiences of transition in the lives of older people and their caregivers. The articles focus on transitions that occur during the ageing process, including changes in health, caring roles, relationships, social context, employment, and place. The idea is that transitions bring a range of challenges but also offer opportunities for the reconstruction of self-identity, relationships, and communities, and suggest that adopting a transitions approach can lead to more complex and nuanced understandings of older peoples lives as they intersect with the ever-changing social, psychological, community and environmental issues that make up the matrix of everyday life.  As such, this collection of articles frames ageing as a dynamic and transformative process which impacts everyday life and relationships, as well as the social structures in which they are embedded.

Announcement

We are sorry to share that Dr Josephine McMurray, a section editor for this special collection, passed away last year. We would like to acknowledge Josephine's contribution to IJELT and, in particular, to the special collection.