Older Women, Power, and the Body

摘要: This chapter defines power and discusses types sources of that people can use, with a focus on the body as source women’s power. Attractiveness, physical fitness, health are common ways bodies empower women, by providing to influence others ability achieve plans goals. In old age, those may be less available cause women feel disempowered. However, changing one’s standard for social comparison, taking good care body, learning manage chronic illness, use in different all contribute continued personal interpersonal Some turn cosmetic procedures erase signs aging writ body; do better remembering sexiness has more knowledge, skill, confidence than beauty. Moreover, some empowered fading beauty they no longer sexualized objectified others. Most people’s energy stamina improved through self-care (e.g., adequate rest, nutrition, regular exercise). Assistive devices community services van service who drive or walk easily) older helping maintain their mobility independence, interdependence rather dependence. Furthermore, there many besides any age. Older often themselves networks sharing wisdom experience mentors, volunteers, activists family stories with, caring for, grandchildren. Although invariably leads changes related process does not inevitably mean decrease empowerment; it might just change how, from where, is derived.