Blurring Age Boundaries and Normativity of Aging: A Review of Key Theoretical Approaches

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of theoretical approaches to the study of aging in the social sciences, revealing their relationship with changes in social policy regarding older people. The aim of the work is to consider how various theoretical concepts form the basis for blurring strict age boundaries and the normativity of aging, and how the achievements of the social sciences are reflected in practical measures of social policy. The authors analyze key concepts (successful/active aging, critical and cultural gerontology, the concept of the life course and aging in place) demonstrating the transition from biological determinism to understanding aging as a socially constructed process and identifying their roles in shaping modern longevity policies. The article shows that the paradigm shifts in aging studies (from the medical model to the socio-cultural one) reflects the global challenges of the second demographic transition. The authors conclude that modern theories of aging and social policy measures regarding older people are synchronized to a certain extent. The blurring of rigid age boundaries is in its own way beneficial to states interested in extending the economically active lifespan of older people. Certain concepts of ageing are used to confirm and justify social policy measures. The emphasis on practitioners’ attention to the achievements of social sciences in the field of ageing requires a responsible, attentive and critical approach by researchers to the study of inclusive ageing, emerging inequalities and the rights of the elderly to autonomy.