Shared Aging and Transgenerationality

Aging has hitherto been overlooked by social ontologists. The article argues for its reconsideration advocating for a phenomenological shift from “aging” to “being aged” to address the major shortcomings of current approaches. Two key insights are revealed: (i) age discrimination arises from a standardized view of life that neglects the personal dimension of aging; (ii) phenomenology proves helpful in addressing qualitative assessments of aging and its social dimension while maintaining existential sensitivity. Within the proposed framework, it becomes possible to outline a theory of shared aging and transgenerationality, hinging on three main claims: a) aging unfolds as generational time shared in a transgenerational sense; b) it unites people in social wholes according to different modes and degrees; c) it inspires primary and secondary transgenerationality. All this lays the groundwork to understand generational temporality, sociality, and normativity beyond constructivism.