Women Over 50: Psychological Perspectives

Description

A woman’s middle age had traditionally been regarded as a time of loss and decline. But in the wake of the women's movement and other societal and cultural events, a profound shift has taken place. Far from being marginalized, midlife women stand at the forefront of a great transformation of cultural perceptions and attitudes. They are rejecting stereotypes, embracing new opportunities, and forming what this important book terms "a new collective middle-aged identity." Women over 50: Psychological Perspectives analyzes the challenges, benefits, coping strategies, problems, and accomplishments associated with the midlife experience. Ten chapters present the state of research (and correct longstanding myths) regarding significant aspects of middle-aged women's lives: Mind-body: illness, body image, exercise Love, romance, and sexuality Friendship and support systems "The sandwich generation" Re-creating the role of grandmothers Retirement and financial stability Using personal empowerment to empower others Quality of life and future directions Women over 50 bridges a major knowledge gap in the feminist-psychology literature, making it an essential resource for clinicians and advanced students. It balances optimism and realism about older women’s lives—and younger women’s futures. Front Matter....Pages I-XIII Introduction....Pages 1-5 Body Image Issues of Women Over 50....Pages 6-25 Women and Sex at Midlife: Desire, Dysfunction, and Diversity....Pages 26-52 Living Longer, Healthier Lives....Pages 53-78 On the Move: Exercise, Leisure Activities, and Midlife Women....Pages 79-94 The Well-being and Quality of Life of Women Over 50: A Gendered-Age Perspective....Pages 95-111 Enjoying the Returns: Women’s Friendships After 50....Pages 112-130 Contemporary Midlife Grandparenthood....Pages 131-146 Women Over 50: Caregiving Issues....Pages 147-163 Work and Retirement: Challenges and Opportunities for Women Over 50....Pages 164-181 Empowerment: A Prime Time for Women Over 50....Pages 182-203 Back Matter....Pages 204-207