Welfare spaces of (non)ageing: a discourse perspective

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to articulate an approach for discursive research on welfare cultures of ageing that responds to the challenges facing contemporary research on old age and ageism. It is based on the assumption that to understand conditions under which people are ageing in different countries, various societal levels and actors need to be examined and their roles in setting the old age agenda need to be accounted for. Additionally, this paper reflects upon the welfare spaces of ageing in Poland, spaces where people in Poland grow old and/or are allowed to do so. As a result, this paper indicates the lack of spaces of ageing in the welfare context in Poland. People are expected not to grow old; old age remains a misunderstood phenomenon. Contrary to the excessive knowledge against old age. there is considerable lack of knowledge for old age. Therefore, spaces of non-ageing are invoked in order to elaborate on these processes. Spaces of non-ageing identify various societal domains and show what needs to be done in order not to grow old. Spaces of non-ageing repudiate the idea of old age as something terrifying and, on many occasions, immoral.