Ageism, ageing and social participation.

Negative attitudes towards older people, internalised stereotypes and ageism are possible obstacles for social participation. Older people might by being visible in society, represent reminders of the decay of ageing and the finitude of life. Industrialisation and globalisation of economy have in addition made older people less needed. These are examples of social cultural explanations of reduced social activity with age. The relevance of such explanations is supported by the fact that the activity of older persons is less visible the farther out in society we move. Politics and working life are arenas with particularly few older actors. However, the reduced social participation has to be considered as effects of factors both in the person and in the environment, and in the interplay between the ageing individual and a changing society. Theories focusing on this interplay, on proactive adaptations to change and on personal control and autonomy are discussed.