Understanding resilience in divided societies

Why do some people seem to ‘age well’ while others experience social isolation, income poverty and multiple discriminations in their later years? As ageing becomes a priority for European policy-makers, the question of how to help people stay independent throughout the life course will occupy welfare state analysts. Critical gerontologists have identified factors that contribute to understanding the accumulation of advantage and disadvantage in old age (Estes, 1979; Phillipson, 2013). In particular, the intersection of gender, race and socioeconomic status in compounding disadvantage in old age is well established (Craig, 2004; Timonen et al 2013). Meanwhile, life course theorists have identified how historical events and socio-economic inequalities,experienced early in life, can affect life satisfaction and well-being in old age (Deindl, 2012; Elder, 1994). This paper explores the potential of combining these two approaches into a progressive developmental theory of ageing which links key life course concepts,such as human agency and the passage of time, to the study of resilience. The extent to which other social divisions such as socio-economic status, race, gender and disability affect an individual’s capacity to build resilience are also explored. The paper draws on key theoretical debates from social gerontology, life course sociology and gender studies, aiming to establish (anembryonic) developmental theory of ageing.