A woman’s sell-by date : the experience of ageing amongst a group of women in Stellenbosch

This study investigates the ‘experience of ageing’ and questions whether the study group’s
Experience constitutes a ‘sell-Àby date’ for them, branding them inadequate, to others and themselves, on a physical, psychological and social level. The participants’ adequacy
Or inadequacy is measured by the ‘male gaze’

This study group is clearly positioned within a discourse that follows conventional, patriarchal thinking. The women’s thinking exposes a habitus which interpolates specific behaviour and leaves narrow parameters for free ‘choice’. They practise body alteration, conventional gender roles, experience happiness and regrets, and fear their future ‘dependent’ bodies.

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Publisher: Stellenbosch University
Year of Publication: 2011