Tre generazioni teoriche di Gerontologia Sociale: un excursus internazionale Guido Giarelli University of Catanzaro Magna Grecia, Italy This is a section of Accompagnare la longevità(DOI: 10.36253/979-12-215-0744-7) by Vanna Boffo, Michele Bertani, Donatella Bramanti, Rabih Chattat, Laura Formenti Firenze University Press Florence 2025 https://doi.org/10.36253/979-12-215-0744-7.07

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After introducing the emergence of Social Gerontology as an interdisciplinary field of study within the broader scope of Gerontology, the main theories that define the pluralistic perspective and contributions of Social Gerontology to the issue of ageing – primarily in the Anglo-Saxon context – are presented. The multidimensionality and multi-level micro-macro interactions that characterize this field have been addressed over time through a variety of approaches rooted in different epistemologies. Historically, it is therefore possible to identify three distinct theoretical generations, which are here examined by analyzing their origins, the conceptual frameworks they adopt, and the specific issues related to ageing that each has sought to explain. The discussion includes illustrative case studies and an assessment of the heuristic value and limitations of each perspective. In conclusion, it is hoped that the Italian field of ageing studies will be able to draw on this rich theoretical heritage to develop its own empirically grounded contribution, applicable across the broad range of domains involved in addressing the challenges of ageing.

 Ageing Life Course Social Gerontology Theoretical Generations

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