Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

Standard

Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark. / Evans, Adam B.; Nistrup, Anne.

I: International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, Bind 12, Nr. 4, 2020, s. 617-635.

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

Harvard

Evans, AB & Nistrup, A 2020, 'Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark', International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, bind 12, nr. 4, s. 617-635. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2020.1827005

APA

Evans, A. B., & Nistrup, A. (2020). Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 12(4), 617-635. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2020.1827005

Vancouver

Evans AB, Nistrup A. Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. 2020;12(4):617-635. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2020.1827005

Author

Evans, Adam B. ; Nistrup, Anne. / Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark. I: International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. 2020 ; Bind 12, Nr. 4. s. 617-635.

Bibtex

@article{6e8ed60cdd204aeb86fc4e79fb408b94,
title = "Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark",
abstract = "{\textquoteleft}Active Ageing{\textquoteright} is a dominant discourse in the promotion of active lifestyles for older adults. Its emphasis upon adoption of a positive mind-set and {\textquoteleft}good{\textquoteright} lifestyle choices has resulted in active ageing policies becoming associated with {\textquoteleft}neoliberal{\textquoteright} tendencies. Conversely, we suggest the tendency to equate active ageing policy with a totalising concept of {\textquoteleft}neoliberalism{\textquoteright} can obscure interpretational nuance. We conducted Foucauldian Discourse Analysis upon 31 policy documents outlining provision of active ageing services in Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark, traditionally a communitarian policy environment. Both textual and visual data were analysed. Focus was made upon the construction of active ageing as an object of policy, and subsequent discursive constructions of the active ageing subject. The application of {\textquoteleft}active ageing{\textquoteright} created several contradictions in this policy environment. Services were promoted as {\textquoteleft}open to all,{\textquoteright} yet Municipal support was discursively constructed as an imperative of care for the most needful. Personal choice was promoted, yet meaningfulness and freedom was situated in the community, and shared-ownership, active citizenship and voluntarism were emphasised. The older subject was discursively constructed as an ethical, responsible, self-sufficient and active citizen who was both a producer and consumer of active ageing programmes. Such subjects were imagined to inhabit localised communities of primarily white, slim, non-disabled, visibly happy and healthy over-65 year olds. Hence, whilst empowerment and programme flexibility were promoted, the conceptualisation of a homogenous {\textquoteleft}elderly{\textquoteright} community appeared less conducive to respect for diversity, promoting cross-generational cooperation and maximising the {\textquoteleft}preventative{\textquoteright} potential of active ageing programmes.",
keywords = "Faculty of Science, Active aging, Foucault, Discourse analysis, Physical activity promotion, Communitarianism, Meaningfulness",
author = "Evans, {Adam B.} and Anne Nistrup",
note = "CURIS 2020 NEXS 335",
year = "2020",
doi = "10.1080/19406940.2020.1827005",
language = "English",
volume = "12",
pages = "617--635",
journal = "International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics",
issn = "1940-6940",
publisher = "Routledge",
number = "4",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Constructing the ethical active older subject: a Foucauldian discourse analysis of active ageing policies in Copenhagen, Denmark

AU - Evans, Adam B.

AU - Nistrup, Anne

N1 - CURIS 2020 NEXS 335

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - ‘Active Ageing’ is a dominant discourse in the promotion of active lifestyles for older adults. Its emphasis upon adoption of a positive mind-set and ‘good’ lifestyle choices has resulted in active ageing policies becoming associated with ‘neoliberal’ tendencies. Conversely, we suggest the tendency to equate active ageing policy with a totalising concept of ‘neoliberalism’ can obscure interpretational nuance. We conducted Foucauldian Discourse Analysis upon 31 policy documents outlining provision of active ageing services in Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark, traditionally a communitarian policy environment. Both textual and visual data were analysed. Focus was made upon the construction of active ageing as an object of policy, and subsequent discursive constructions of the active ageing subject. The application of ‘active ageing’ created several contradictions in this policy environment. Services were promoted as ‘open to all,’ yet Municipal support was discursively constructed as an imperative of care for the most needful. Personal choice was promoted, yet meaningfulness and freedom was situated in the community, and shared-ownership, active citizenship and voluntarism were emphasised. The older subject was discursively constructed as an ethical, responsible, self-sufficient and active citizen who was both a producer and consumer of active ageing programmes. Such subjects were imagined to inhabit localised communities of primarily white, slim, non-disabled, visibly happy and healthy over-65 year olds. Hence, whilst empowerment and programme flexibility were promoted, the conceptualisation of a homogenous ‘elderly’ community appeared less conducive to respect for diversity, promoting cross-generational cooperation and maximising the ‘preventative’ potential of active ageing programmes.

AB - ‘Active Ageing’ is a dominant discourse in the promotion of active lifestyles for older adults. Its emphasis upon adoption of a positive mind-set and ‘good’ lifestyle choices has resulted in active ageing policies becoming associated with ‘neoliberal’ tendencies. Conversely, we suggest the tendency to equate active ageing policy with a totalising concept of ‘neoliberalism’ can obscure interpretational nuance. We conducted Foucauldian Discourse Analysis upon 31 policy documents outlining provision of active ageing services in Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark, traditionally a communitarian policy environment. Both textual and visual data were analysed. Focus was made upon the construction of active ageing as an object of policy, and subsequent discursive constructions of the active ageing subject. The application of ‘active ageing’ created several contradictions in this policy environment. Services were promoted as ‘open to all,’ yet Municipal support was discursively constructed as an imperative of care for the most needful. Personal choice was promoted, yet meaningfulness and freedom was situated in the community, and shared-ownership, active citizenship and voluntarism were emphasised. The older subject was discursively constructed as an ethical, responsible, self-sufficient and active citizen who was both a producer and consumer of active ageing programmes. Such subjects were imagined to inhabit localised communities of primarily white, slim, non-disabled, visibly happy and healthy over-65 year olds. Hence, whilst empowerment and programme flexibility were promoted, the conceptualisation of a homogenous ‘elderly’ community appeared less conducive to respect for diversity, promoting cross-generational cooperation and maximising the ‘preventative’ potential of active ageing programmes.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Active aging

KW - Foucault

KW - Discourse analysis

KW - Physical activity promotion

KW - Communitarianism

KW - Meaningfulness

U2 - 10.1080/19406940.2020.1827005

DO - 10.1080/19406940.2020.1827005

M3 - Journal article

VL - 12

SP - 617

EP - 635

JO - International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics

JF - International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics

SN - 1940-6940

IS - 4

ER -

ID: 250319161