Resumen de Discourses we are ageing by: the role of personal responsibility and societal obstacles in successful ageing

Marina Videnovic, Aleksander Baucal

• The purpose of this article is to explore the discourses of ageing shared by older people in Serbia. The Three Steps Participative Generalisation and Reflection (3PGR) methodology was used to conduct the research. Through semi-structured interviews, five different discourses of ageing were identified. These include seeing ageing as a time to enjoy intrinsically motivated activities; perceiving the need to find some form of employment; accepting physical changes as a sign of maturity; recognizing the difficulty of avoiding a monotonous life; and recognizing the potential for health problems to lead to social isolation. Cluster analysis was used to identify four ways in which respondents positioned themselves within these discourses. The activity–passivity dimension proved useful in distinguishing the discourses identified. The analysis shows that older adults need to make an effort to become self-determined learners. Successful ageing is also seen as partly an individual responsibility, as health and economic issues can be barriers to a fulfilling life.