| While many empirical studies have explored the interrelationships between social engagement and successful aging, critical debate about why and for whom choices regarding social engagement in later life may be constrained has been thus far limited. Through thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with 89 seniors living in three rural Canadian communities in Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, this dissertation focused on experiences of inequality in choices of social engagement that are embedded in individuals' personal characteristics and in community contexts using the theoretical perspectives of critical gerontology, feminist political economy, and Bourdieu's interpretive sociology. By systematically comparing the experiences of aging of older adults who differ by social class, gender, and other characteristics, this dissertation uncovered five broad factors that constrain or facilitate the choice of meaningful social engagement in later life. Two of these factors (profound participation in care work and compulsory altruism) manifest in older adults' participation in helping others and volunteering to a greater extent than they would like, crowding out other potentially meaningful activities. The other three (personal resources, the range of opportunities for social engagement, and barriers and facilitators around desired activities) preclude older adults from engaging in activities they find meaningful. How many of these factors affected older adults' social participation and how severely they limited their choices of activities differed by class and gender. While middle class older adults may experience some constraining influences of these factors, higher level of economic and social capital and other resources they command affords them a wider choice of social engagement. In contrast, older individuals with limited personal resources were likely to experience the greatest number of constraints to their social engagement, which was further exacerbated by living in economically disadvantaged communities. Social engagement is a fundamental human right, and this dissertation contributes to ensuring that society has meaningful roles for all persons, and that all may freely pursue those roles. |
