Ways of Aging

Contributors vii

Introduction 1

Beyond Stereotypes 3
Jaber F. Gubrium and James A. Holstein

Part I Persistence 11

1 Narratives of Forgiveness in Old Age 13
Helen K. Black

2 Elderhood in Contemporary Lakota Society 36
Joan Weibel-Orlando

3 Claiming Identity in a Nursing Home 58
Debora A. Patemiti

Part II Adaptation 75

4 Three Childless Men’s Pathways into Old Age 77
Tanya Koropeckyj-Cox

5 Constructing Community from Troubles 96
Christopher A. Faircloth

6 Family Lives of Aging Black Americans 111
Colleen L. Johnson and Barbara M. Barer

Part Ill Change 133

7 Aging and Change in a Religious Community 135
Sarah Matthews

8 Identity Careers of Older Gay Men and Lesbians 160
Dana Rosenfeld

9 Expectations and Experiences of Widowhood 182
Deborah Kestin van den Hoonaard

Epilogue 201

10 Positive Aging 203
Mary Gergen and Kenneth J. Gergen

Index 225