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.
University of Catanzaro Magna Grecia, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0002-8649-8828
Chapter Title
Tre generazioni teoriche di Gerontologia Sociale: un excursus internazionale
Authors
Guido Giarelli
Language
Italian
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-0744-7.07
Peer Reviewed
Publication Year
2025
Copyright Information
© 2025 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Book Title
Accompagnare la longevità
Book Subtitle
Buone pratiche educative e formative per l’invecchiamento attivo
Editors
Vanna Boffo, Michele Bertani, Donatella Bramanti, Rabih Chattat, Laura Formenti
Peer Reviewed
Number of Pages
628
Publication Year
2025
Copyright Information
© 2025 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Publisher Name
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-0744-7
ISBN Print
979-12-215-0743-0
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-0744-7
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-0745-4
Series Title
Studies on Adult Learning and Education
Series ISSN
2704-596X
Series E-ISSN
2704-5781