Old age and construction of appearance: the importance of informal education in the social engagement of Brazilian and Spanish octogenarian women

• Grant number: 16/05161-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: August 29, 2016
• End date: February 27, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Anthropology - Urban Anthropology
• Principal Investigator: Andrea Lopes
• Grantee: Patrícia da Silva Yokomizo
• Supervisor: Paloma Díaz Soloaga
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/12100-5 - Old age and construction of appearance: the importance of informal education in the social engagement of Brazilian and Spanish octogenarian women, BP.MS

Abstract

In recent decades, the involvement of an increasing number of social agents in the known myth of eternal youth was intensified, generating consequent beliefs and actions around the denial and assertiveness of old age. In addition to the numerous consequences for the social life, this dynamic is presented as a challenge to the scenario of increasing longevity and meaningful engagement promotion at advanced ages, especially in relation to social presentation of women. Objective: to investigate and compare, in the context of informal education, how the appearance of Brazilian and Spanish octogenarians is built, aiming social engagement. Background: questioning myths and promote diversity in old age, in addition to understanding the potential of variable appearance for the management of old age and female aging. Method: qualitative research, exploratory and descriptive, guided by the ethnographic method. Techniques: free and participant observation, informal conversations, in-depth interview, documentation and photographic record. Use of field notes and semi-structured script. Participants will be: 1) Brazilian and Spanish octogenarian women; 2) residents most of life in the cities of research interest; 3) participating in community life; 4) housewives in old age; 5) low income and education; 6) without cognitive impairment. Data collection will take place in São Paulo and Madrid. Brazilian data have been collected and are in the process of finalizing the processing and analysis. Ethical issues: Term of Consent. Literature review: use of databases of the University of São Paulo, for periodic consultation of Gerontology, Fashion and Anthropology. Timetable (general): collection, processing, analysis and comparison of data by February 2017; composition of the dissertation and defense until the end of the first half 2017, complying with the terms of the institutional postgraduate program and funding agency. (AU)