Comparative Aging and Qualitative Theorizing

Ian G. Cook; Jamie Halsall; Jason L. Powell

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.6.1.05

Authors

Ian G. Cook Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Jamie Halsall Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Jason L. Powell University of Liverpool, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.6.1.05

Keywords:

Aging, Global understanding, Qualitative theorizing, Nation states

Abstract

The principal aim of this argument is to analyze the swift expansion in the proportion of older people across the globe, and to highlight the main social and economic forces causing this through methodological challenges especially through the lens of qualitative methodology. We recognize the enormity of the task. Drawing from a range of qualitative research studies provides enriched meanings about aging identity that can be used to shed light on how aging is experienced in equal to how it has been defined in macro or populational terms. Balancing micro and macro levels of understanding is key to open up broader level of explaining what it means to be an older person in different cultures Whilst this is a noble aim, there is no doubt that the rapid increase in population aging across the globe is signalling the most astonishing populational changes in the history of humankind that qualitative levels of understanding are uniquely placed to balance the huge figures in describing complex demography in that qualitative methodology unravels the facts and instead reveals the narratives, meanings and identity formation of research subjects; whereas statistical research has pre-dominantly made its findings looking at people as research objects or as a ‘number’ (Gruber and Wise 2004). The balance is key but this paper explores the issue of comparative aging underpinned by what Powell and Cook (2001) call ‘qualitative theorising’ in making sense of statistical and experiential aging.

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Author Biographies

Ian G. Cook, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Ian G. Cook is Professor of Human Geography and current Chair of the Media, Arts and Social Science Faculty Graduate Research Committee, Liverpool John Moores University. His research is mainly on aspects of Chinese urbanization, health, environment and gerontological issues, and on social gerontology more globally. He has published widely, including articles in Health Policy, the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy and Social Science and Medicine among others and is co-author or co-editor of 8 books as well as being a doctoral supervisor of 17 successful PhD candidates spanning the social sciences, to date
Jamie Halsall, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Jamie Halsall (Ph.D) is Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences in the Department of Behaviour Sciences and Social Sciences at Huddersfield University. In 2003 Jamie gained a BA (Hons) degree in Geography from Edge Hill University. The following year he gained a Masters degree in the Geographies of Globalisation and Developmentt and in 2010 he completed his Doctorate of Philosophy while studying at the University of Liverpool. His academic career has included research with the International Centre for Development and Environmental Studies (ICDES), which was based in the Department of Natural Applied Sciences at Edge Hill University. From 2004 to 2008 he was Editorial Assistant of Global Built Environment Review (GBER) an international journal (www.edgehill.ac.uk/gber). He has presented his research to the British Council, Economic and Social Research Council and Research Development Fund (Edge Hill University)
Jason L. Powell, University of Liverpool, UK

Jason L. Powell is Reader in Sociology & Social Policy and Associate Dean at the University of Liverpool, UK. He also holds several Visiting Professorships in Social Gerontology: United States, Canada and Australia. Dr Powell’s research on aging has recently focused on: comparative and global aging, social theory and third sector studies. He has over 160 publications worldwide. His books include Social Theory and Aging (2006) (Rowman and Littlefield: New York) which was part of Professor Charles Lemert’s distinguished book series on New Social Formations; Rethinking Social Theory and Later Life (2007) (Nova Science: New York); Situating Social Theory (with T May) (2008) (McGraw Hill: London); Aging in Asia (with I Cook) (2009); The Welfare State in Post-Industrial Society: A Global Perspective (Springer Publishers, New York) (with J Hendricks) (2009). In 2008, Dr Powell and associates won ‘Highly Commended Article for the Year’ award by Emerald Publishers for an article on risk and old age in International Journal of Sociology & Social Policy. He is a Series Editor on aging for a book series for Springer Publishers in New York and an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Sociology.

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