Abstract
While research on the health and wellbeing of older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults is gradually expanding, research on older trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adults’ lags behind. Current scholarship about this group raises important questions about the intersection of ageing and gender identity for enhancing care and support for older TGNC adults and the lack of preparedness of health and social professionals for meeting these needs. In this paper we examine the accounts of 22 TGNC individuals (50-74 years) on the topic of ageing and unpack their concerns for and expectations of later life. We present qualitative findings from a study of gender identity, ageing and care, based in Wales. Data was generated from two-part interviews with each participant. Four key themes are identified: 1) facilitative factors for transitioning in mid to later life; 2) growing older as a new lease of life; 3) growing older: regrets, delays and uncertainties; and, 4) ambivalent expectations of social care services. We argue that growing older as TGNC can be experienced across a multitude of standpoints, ranging from a new lease of life to a time of regret and uncertainty. We critically discuss emergent notions of trans time, precarity and uncertainty running across participants’ accounts and the implications for enhancing recognition of gender non-conformity and gender identity in social gerontology.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1-22 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Ageing and Society |
Volume | 0 |
Issue number | 0 |
Early online date | 19 May 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 19 May 2020 |
Research Groups and Themes
- SPS Centre for Research in Health and Social Care
Keywords
- Trans
- Gender non-conforming
- Gender identity
- ageing
- Older adults
- Social care