Constructions of various femininities among the oldest old women.
This study forms part of the Umeå 85+ Study, and the aim was to explore various gendered constructions of femininities among the oldest old women. Femininities are seen as various ways of shaping oneself as a woman in relation to the impact of historical, social, and cultural circumstances. Thematic narratives were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Through interpreting these narratives in the light of gender theories, we were able to discern four femininities: "being connected," "being an actor," "living in the shadow of others," and "being alienated." The oldest old women displayed complex outlooks on femininities, and no femininity was interpreted as being in the center related to the other femininities. Further research is needed in order to disclose the complexity of femininities related to factors such as social class, ethnicity, and financial situation among the oldest old, and to acquire a greater knowledge of various femininities.
Aléx
Lena
L
Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. lena.alex@nurs.umu.se
Hammarström
Anne
A
Gustafson
Yngve
Y
Norberg
Astrid
A
Lundman
Berit
B
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D019513:Feminism; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D033262:Narration; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D016387:Women's Health