Long-lived sociality : a cultural analysis of middle-class older persons' social lives in Kerala, India

Bomhoff, M.C. (2011)

Doctoral Thesis

Long-Lived Sociality is an ethnographic account of the lives of older persons in Kerala. Through its detailed account of these highly educated, middle and upper class individuals, it challenges many popular and academic stereotypical notions of the old. Contrary to such preconceptions for instance, their lives turn out to be interdependent, not at all stagnant, extremely mobile and as far as possible actively shaped by the older persons themselves. Cultural notions about sociality are furthermore explored to understand how meaning is given to social and care relationships with others. These relations are informed by strong expectations and a discourse that stresses the importance of duties. This discourse makes it possible for older persons to explicitly demand care when needed. The investigation of the possibilities and limitations of this discourse provides insights into the older persons__ appreciation of their social lives and their overall wellbeing.

• South Asia
• Social relations
• Older persons
• Migration
• Kinship
• India
• Cultural anthropology
• Care
• Anthropology
• Ageing

• All authors: Bomhoff, M.C.
• Supervisor: Risseeuw, C.I.
• Co-supervisor: Irudaya Rajan, S.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University
• Date: 2011-11-24
• Court: LEI Universiteit Leiden
• Sponsorship: Leiden University Fund (LUF); VSB fonds; Indo-Dutch Programme on Alternatives in Development (IDPAD); Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS)