Women in older ages—“old” women

Bibliographic Data

ID12447284
AuthorsSylvia Hahn (University of Salzburg, corresponding author)
Year2002
Volume7
Issue1
Pages33-58
Publication date2002-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe History of the Family (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1081-602X • E-ISSN: 1873-5398
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1016/s1081-602x(01)00095-1
OpenAlexW2028313303
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited24

Widows in contemporary and past societies are normally portrayed as passive individuals needing to be cared for by their children or relatives, the community, or the state. This article challenges this assumption by documenting the extent and range of the participation of widows in the labor market and the number of dependents for whom they were responsible. The introduction discusses the longstanding image of the widow and the attempts made to coerce widows to behave in accordance with the image. The reasons for the high degree of regulation and supervision, particularly of sexuality, are discussed. The image and associated regulations are then contrasted with the reality of the widows' struggle to survive. It is argued that many widows perceived their age and widowhood as less of a burden and more as a form of liberation from the social and economic constrictions of married life. As widows developed strategies to reorganize their lives, friendships with other women were often decisive

Human sexuality · Older people · Sociology · State (computer science · Gender Studies · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology