The Need for Theory in Gerontology Simon Biggs, Jon Hendricks, and Ariela Lowenstein

SECTION ONE Theorizing Gerontology

Chapter 1 Critical Gerontological Theory: Intellectual Fieldwork and the Nomadic Life of Ideas Steven Katz

Chapter 2 The Perils and Possibilities of Theory Ruth E. Ray

Chapter 3 The Legacy of Social Constructionism for Social Gerontology Hans-Joachim von Kondratowitz

Chapter 4 Structure and Identitya€”Mind the Gap: Toward a Personal Resource Model of Successful Aging Jon Hendricks

SECTION TWO Theorizing Micro Relations

Chapter 5 Sense and Structure: Toward a Sociology of Old Bodies Emmanuelle Tulle

Chapter 6 Contemporary Later-Life Family Transitions: Revisiting Theoretical Perspectives on Aging and the Familya€” Toward a Family Identity Framework Ariela Lowenstein

Chapter 7 The Aging Paradox: Toward Personal Meaning in Gerontological Theory Gerben J. Westerhof, Freya Dittmann-Kohli, and Christina Bode

Chapter 8 Negotiating Aging Identity: Surface, Depth, and Masquerade Simon Biggs

SECTION THREE Theorizing Macro Relations chapter 9 Globalization and the Reconstruction of Old Age: New Challenges for Critical Gerontology Chris Phillipson

Chapter 10 Theoretical Approaches to Problems of Families, Aging, and Social Support in the Context of Modernization Merril Silverstein, Vern L. Bengtson, and Eugene Litwak

Chapter 11 Theorizing Age Relations Toni Calasanti

Chapter 12 Theoretical Perspectives on Old Age Policy: A Critique and a Proposal Carroll L. Estes

CONCLUSION

Where is Theory Headed? Simon Biggs, Jon Hendricks, and Ariela Lowenstein

Contributors

Index