Develop your understanding of the social and community wellbeing of older queer adults.
"A must-read for anyone committed to advancing the wellbeing of older queer adults, the book ends with a timely and relevant call for collaborative and intentional efforts to ensure older queer adults feel welcomed, valued, and fully engaged in the social spaces that are vital for their wellbeing and overall quality of life." —Milena Heinsch, University of Tasmania
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How do older queer adults navigate space, community, and social environments?
Focussing on the lived experiences of a group of queer adults, often ignored by social policy, community planning, and aged care services, David Betts aims to provide social workers with the tools necessary to support their wellbeing.
Social Spaces for Older Queer Adults compares historical reflections and contemporary experiences. It considers the political and legislative developments in Aotearoa New Zealand regarding sexual and gender diversity, and the influence this has had on the personal wellbeing and sense of community for older queer adults. This book also examines the label of the ‘queer unwanted’, the notion of queer ageing, and the concerns and preparation needed to support the community in these contexts.
Essential reading for providing insight on how to adapt practice to support older queer adults, this book is ideal for practitioners and students of social work and human development, LGBT+ Studies, Psychology, Gender Studies, Community Development Studies, and Gerontology.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- vAbstract
- viAcknowledgements
- viiContents
- ix
- 1 Social spaces and older queer adults
- Introduction
- On “queering” language
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Interviews and participant narratives
- Theoretical framework
- Critical social theory
- Critical gerontology
- Social capital
- Significance of this book
- Book outline
- 2 What is social about social capital?
- Introduction
- Social connectedness
- Community
- Close friends and chosen family
- Trusting relationships
- Reciprocity in action
- Exchange of resources
- Emotional and personal support
- Practical support
- Conclusion
- 3 Swings and roundabouts
- Introduction
- Legislative change, visibility, and safety
- Social stigma and risk
- Inclusivity and participation
- Perceived generational shifts
- Legislative change and internal dynamics
- Conclusion
- 4 With friends like these
- Introduction
- Gay men and lesbian women: “you’re you and I’m me”
- Never mind the “B”
- Gender diversity and transgender older adults: “They just don’t get trans”
- “Headspace, willingness, and bravery”
- Conclusion
- 5 Adding silver to the rainbow
- Introduction
- Ageism and dismissal – “go home grandad!”
- Gay people are never gonna get old
- Conclusion
- 6 Towards equality in care
- Introduction
- Engaging with professionals
- Dismissive attitudes
- Lack of knowledge
- Competent professionals
- The perception of hostility: homophobia and cisnormativity on planning for aged care needs
- Ageism and heteronormativity
- Specific fears for older queer adults
- “Wouldn’t it be nice?”: queer facilities and services
- Gender diversity in aged care
- Conclusion
- 7 Breaking barriers
- Introduction
- The political–social dynamic of social spaces
- Identity and inclusion within the queer community
- Aged care and aged concerns
- Social capital and social spaces
- Social justice, structural systems, and social work
- Social justice and the profession of social work
- Power systems in social work
- Micro, meso, and macro: practice, policy, and pedagogy
- Citizenship and political autonomy
- Professional competency and discrimination
- The queer community: supportive relationships and internal dynamics
- Purpose of the conceptual model
- Paradigm for practice with older queer adults
- Micro
- Meso
- Macro
- Critical reflexive actions
- 8 Reshaping social spaces
- Introduction
- Contribution to the wider discussion, the social work profession, and Aotearoa New Zealand
- There and now
- Working within communities: recognising and supporting diverse identities
- Thoughts about language
- Reflection
- Influence on practice
- Concluding thoughts
- 171Recommended assignments and activities
- 177Notes
- 179References
- 192Recommended further reading
- Index
David Betts is a Lecturer in the Social Work program in the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Book Review:
A must-read for anyone committed to advancing the wellbeing of older queer adults, the book ends with a timely and relevant call for collaborative and intentional efforts to ensure older queer adults feel welcomed, valued, and fully engaged in the social spaces that are vital for their wellbeing and overall quality of life.—Milena Heinsch, University of Tasmania
Excerpted from: Heinsch, M. (2024). Social Spaces for Older Queer Adults: A Guide for Social Work Educators, Students and Practitioners: by David Betts, UK, Lived Places Publishing, 2023, 206 pp., $43.85 (paperback), ISBN 9781915734051; $41.24 (eBook), ISBN 1915734053. Australian Social Work, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2024.2413210
Published online: 21 Nov 2024
How do older queer adults navigate space, community, and social environments?
Focussing on the lived experiences of a group of queer adults, often ignored by social policy, community planning, and aged care services, David Betts aims to provide social workers with the tools necessary to support their wellbeing.
Social Spaces for Older Queer Adults compares historical reflections and contemporary experiences. It considers the political and legislative developments in Aotearoa New Zealand regarding sexual and gender diversity, and the influence this has had on the personal wellbeing and sense of community for older queer adults. This book also examines the label of the ‘queer unwanted’, the notion of queer ageing, and the concerns and preparation needed to support the community in these contexts.
Essential reading for providing insight on how to adapt practice to support older queer adults, this book is ideal for practitioners and students of social work and human development, LGBT+ Studies, Psychology, Gender Studies, Community Development Studies, and Gerontology.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- vAbstract
- viAcknowledgements
- viiContents
- ix
- 1 Social spaces and older queer adults
- Introduction
- On “queering” language
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Interviews and participant narratives
- Theoretical framework
- Critical social theory
- Critical gerontology
- Social capital
- Significance of this book
- Book outline
- 2 What is social about social capital?
- Introduction
- Social connectedness
- Community
- Close friends and chosen family
- Trusting relationships
- Reciprocity in action
- Exchange of resources
- Emotional and personal support
- Practical support
- Conclusion
- 3 Swings and roundabouts
- Introduction
- Legislative change, visibility, and safety
- Social stigma and risk
- Inclusivity and participation
- Perceived generational shifts
- Legislative change and internal dynamics
- Conclusion
- 4 With friends like these
- Introduction
- Gay men and lesbian women: “you’re you and I’m me”
- Never mind the “B”
- Gender diversity and transgender older adults: “They just don’t get trans”
- “Headspace, willingness, and bravery”
- Conclusion
- 5 Adding silver to the rainbow
- Introduction
- Ageism and dismissal – “go home grandad!”
- Gay people are never gonna get old
- Conclusion
- 6 Towards equality in care
- Introduction
- Engaging with professionals
- Dismissive attitudes
- Lack of knowledge
- Competent professionals
- The perception of hostility: homophobia and cisnormativity on planning for aged care needs
- Ageism and heteronormativity
- Specific fears for older queer adults
- “Wouldn’t it be nice?”: queer facilities and services
- Gender diversity in aged care
- Conclusion
- 7 Breaking barriers
- Introduction
- The political–social dynamic of social spaces
- Identity and inclusion within the queer community
- Aged care and aged concerns
- Social capital and social spaces
- Social justice, structural systems, and social work
- Social justice and the profession of social work
- Power systems in social work
- Micro, meso, and macro: practice, policy, and pedagogy
- Citizenship and political autonomy
- Professional competency and discrimination
- The queer community: supportive relationships and internal dynamics
- Purpose of the conceptual model
- Paradigm for practice with older queer adults
- Micro
- Meso
- Macro
- Critical reflexive actions
- 8 Reshaping social spaces
- Introduction
- Contribution to the wider discussion, the social work profession, and Aotearoa New Zealand
- There and now
- Working within communities: recognising and supporting diverse identities
- Thoughts about language
- Reflection
- Influence on practice
- Concluding thoughts
- 171Recommended assignments and activities
- 177Notes
- 179References
- 192Recommended further reading
- Index
David Betts is a Lecturer in the Social Work program in the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Book Review:
A must-read for anyone committed to advancing the wellbeing of older queer adults, the book ends with a timely and relevant call for collaborative and intentional efforts to ensure older queer adults feel welcomed, valued, and fully engaged in the social spaces that are vital for their wellbeing and overall quality of life.—Milena Heinsch, University of Tasmania
Excerpted from: Heinsch, M. (2024). Social Spaces for Older Queer Adults: A Guide for Social Work Educators, Students and Practitioners: by David Betts, UK, Lived Places Publishing, 2023, 206 pp., $43.85 (paperback), ISBN 9781915734051; $41.24 (eBook), ISBN 1915734053. Australian Social Work, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2024.2413210
Published online: 21 Nov 2024
