Caring, old age, and masculinities: Men's experiences of caring and maintaining social connections in later life

Paul Willis, Alex Vickery, Jon Symonds

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Within reports and policies on unpaid caring, loneliness features heavily as an enduring problem for carers of all ages. In this chapter, we examine how older male carers maintain social connections through the caregiving experience. We present and discuss themes from a qualitative study of older men’s experiences of loneliness, social isolation, and social connections (2016–19). Findings were generated from interviews with 25 men (68–92 years) caring for spouses, family members, and close friends. Within older men’s accounts of caring loneliness is framed as a future rather than present problem because caring provides a time-limited buffer to loneliness. Furthermore, our findings highlight the social bonds that older male carers maintain across social networks, including with other carers, and the social and emotional gains of connecting around the shared experience of caring. These bonds are maintained in a political and economic context of government-imposed austerity in the UK where cuts to health and social care services, including services for carers, have led to diminished formal support. Through an intersecting lens of ageing and hegemonic masculinity, men’s social networks are often depicted as shrinking in old age whereas our findings suggest that men forge social connections through the caregiving experience. Finally, we identify and discuss gendered barriers that interrupt men’s efforts in support-seeking through a sociological lens.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication Men and Welfare
EditorsAnna Tarrant, Linzi Ladlow, Laura Way
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter19
Edition1st Edition
ISBN (Electronic)9781003178811
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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