SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF OLD AGE AND THE AGING PROCESS OF WOMEN IN MIDDLE AGE: PREJUDICE, STIGMATIZATION

Abstract

Aging is a phase of human development marked by several cognitive, physical, social and psychological changes. Aging is a process that marks a phase of life and can be observed through these changes in the subject. Population aging constitutes one of humanity's greatest achievements and has currently become possible in all layers of society. However, many societies are not prepared for such changes, in the sense that they confer values related to competitiveness, overvaluing the ability to work, independence and functional autonomy. However, many of these values cannot be followed by people as they approach old age. Such values and beliefs are constructed in the form of representations, this occurs in the daily conversations of groups, they are equivalent to the myths and beliefs of traditional societies. The purpose of this work is to analyze, through a bibliographical review, the following question: how do people's social representations of old age support prejudice and stigmatization in this unique phase? The study aims to analyze the social representation of old age in women, reflecting on prejudices, problems and advantages that the aging process involves for women, with the aim of deconstructing stigmatization.