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Available Open Access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.
The concept of ‘generations’ has become a widely discussed area, with recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic revealing our dependence on intergenerational relationships both within and beyond the family. However, the concept can often be misunderstood, which can fuel divisions between age groups rather than generating solutions.
This collection introduces and explores the growing field of generational studies, providing a comprehensive overview of its strengths and limitations. With contributions from academics across a range of disciplines, the book showcases the concept’s interdisciplinary potential by applying a generational lens to fields including sociology, literature, history, psychology, media studies and politics.
Offering fresh perspectives, this original collection is a valuable addition to the field, opening new avenues for generational thinking.
"This book offers a valuable, interdisciplinary exploration of 'generations’, shedding light on its complexities and potential solutions. A must-read." David Sinclair, International Longevity Centre
Helen Kingstone is Lecturer in English Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Co-director of the Centre for Research on Ageing and Generations at the University of Surrey.
Jennie Bristow is Reader in Sociology at Canterbury Christ Church University and an associate of the Centre for Parenting Culture Studies at the University of Kent.
1. Introduction - Jennie Bristow and Helen Kingstone
Part 1: The Generations Concept in Historical and Contemporary Perspective
2. Sociology and the Problem of ‘Social Generations’ - Jennie Bristow
3. Humanities and a Longer History of Social Generations - Helen Kingstone
4. The Concept of Generation in Biology and Medicine - Tatjana Buklijas
5. A Conjunctural Cultural Studies Approach to the Millennial - Ben Little and Alison Winch
Part 2: Studies of the Generations Concept in Contemporary Life
6. Generative Fiction: Structures of Feeling, Place-Making, and Intergenerational Contact in 'The Lido' - David Amigoni
7. Intergenerational Engagement and Generational Identity - Ali Somers
8. A Multigenerational Self and a Multigenerational Society - Nigel Williams
9. Re-Thinking Generations from a Queer Perspective: Insights and Critical Observations from the CILIA-LGBTQI+ Lives in England Project - Andrew King and Matthew Hall
10. Conclusion - Helen Kingstone and Jennie Bristow