Old Age and Aging in Sociological Discourse

Abstract

Studies on old age and aging take place at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, and their authors represent different theoretical orientations as well as use diverse research methods and techniques. World research on this topic has a rich tradition, while in Poland only the period of political transformation became a catalyst for multi-directional analyses, including those concerning the condition of Polish seniors. According to CBOS research, elderly people in Poland – despite many real problems – declare relative satisfaction with their existential situation. This is largely due to the intergenerational relations that satisfy many seniors. The authors of the texts collected in this volume have chosen the microsociological perspective,. i.e. they write, among others, about the experiences of retired university professors, about photographic representations of old age, or about films that undertake the topic of Alzheimer’s disease. They also look into the future to consider the society of tomorrow, in which there will be a significant increase in the number of seniors. Aging concerns not only people, as animals also get old – one of the articles animates the discussion on their condition in contemporary culture.