A phenomenology of hesitation, open-mindedness, and intergenerational habitus formation at older age

Stanier, Jessica

Abstract

In this article, I explore how older people can experience the tensions between ‘keeping an open mind’ at older age, intergenerational shifts in cultural norms, and social separation between generations— interpreting this phenomenologically as a rupture in the intergenerational habitus. Drawing on engaged phenomenological insights from qualitative interviews, as well as Beauvoir’s and Mannheim’s theories of intergenerationality, I explore structural factors which pose specific obstacles to intergenerational relationships and open-mindedness at older age. I phenomenologically review the conditions of possibility for being open to the perspectives of younger people. In particular, I attend to a moment of ‘hesitation’ (Al-Saji, 2014) experienced by participants during which they felt aware of intergenerational differences. I consider and analyse phenomenologically the different affective responses that are possible when moments of generational difference manifest in a tangible intergenerational encounter.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 20, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Publication Date: 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 3, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 3, 2025
• Journal: Phenomenology and Mind
• Print ISSN: 2280-7853
• Electronic ISSN: 2239-4028
• Publisher: Firenze University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Pages: 1-12
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17454/pam-2812
• Keywords: critical phenomenology, ageing, older age, habitus, intergenerationality
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/14262512