Rosemyriam Ribeiro dos Santos Cunha - Programa de Pós ...

ABSTRACT
This study is a documental and empirical exploratory research, qualitative oriented,in
the light of Latin-American Community Social Psychology, about life and
expectations of women older than the age of 70, in Curitiba. It systematizes and
analyses studies and research that have been produced, mainly in the last decades,
in the field of Gerontology in Brazil, and indicates predominant areas and themes. It
also lists Brazilian Universities, approaches of courses that provide human resources
training in Gerontology/Geriatrics, the University of the Third Age, and the ones
which objective the development of skills and research on human aging. The several
research groups, working in different Universities, committed to knowledge
generation in this field, at post graduation level, are emphasized. Next, it presents the
systematization, classification and content analysis of data from individual and in
depth interviews with twelve women, focused by this study. This analysis, in the light
of Community Social Psychology, aims at understanding, in the view of the
interviewed women, psychosocial dimensions and meanings for their family
constitution, social relationship, past and present life assessment, free time and
music meanings, dreams and expectations, their concepts about old age and the
meaning of the future. Results show that these women, when constituting their
families, have suffered affection deprivation and have raised their children in a
conflictive environment. Present life is a more agreeable time than past life and
present daily routine is also more favorable. Their obligations are mainly at home and
are more time consuming than leisure. They are mostly related with their children,
psychosocial support is little, and music and the radio are their everyday company.
These women understand the old age as a part of the process of living and believe
their present lives quality depend more on the way they face life than on the age
itself. Old age is a period for reflection, serenity and for living life. Interviewed women
indicate there are possibilities to develop new ways of perceiving and living old age.
Thus, interviewed women, older than the age of 70, show perspectives of everyday
life that are strengthened by community network they may have constructed, and
which affirms/confirms a certain degree of familial and social independence. That
goes against classic perspectives, which attributes a time “to end projects” for
women at this age.
Key words: Aging and Community Social Psychology. Daily routine of women older
than the age of 70. Study in Gerontology and women at aging.
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