Abstract

RABELO, Vannessa de Resende Cardoso  and  ARRUDA, Angela. Representations under construction between elderly women and youths exposed to new social practices in old age. Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2020, vol.26, n.1, pp. 63-82. ISSN 1677-1168.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5752/P.1678-9563.2020v26n1p62-81.

This study analyzes social representations about elderly people and the aging process in two focus groups, one composed of elderly women and the other of youths. The investigation was performed in institutions that propose activities for these age groups in Juiz de Fora (State of Minas Gerais) and it is based on the Moscovici and Jodelet theory, and the analysis, using the Alceste software, identifies five classes. The characteristic classes of youths bring the figure of the old ones in the past time and nowadays, as well as the wisdom of old age. The typical class of old women points to the fear of loneliness and dependence as well as the wish for autonomy. Other participants point out the lack of patience and disrespect as a problem in the relationship between society and the elderly. In conclusion, the data unveil, despite the presence of hegemonic representations, signs of a "new old age": the linkage of the elderly with technology, according to the youths; and the search for autonomy, for old women.

Keywords : Social representations; Old age; Elderly.

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