Iranian Journal Of Antheropology

Iranian Journal Of Antheropology

Aging Discourse and Capacity for aspiration in Elderlies

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Akbar Talebpour 1
Zohreh Dodangeh 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2 Sociology phd candidate, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jasi.2026.2091307.1638
Abstract
Increasing growth of aging has increased the need to pay attention to them more than ever. Study aims to analyze the relationship between the discourse of aging and the aspirational capacity of the elderly and the way aging is represented on Welfare Organization website. It seems that in the official discourse of aging, certain meanings are established and other meanings are marginalized. In such a framework, policymaking by defining aging with concepts such as cost-generating, dependency, or future-oriented reduction in efficiency leads to the formation of a dominant semantic order about elderly that places elderly in an unfavorable situation. Study was conducted with a qualitative approach and using critical discourse analysis method with an emphasis on Fairclough's three-dimensional model in order to go beyond descriptive level of media data and access hidden ideological layers to represent the phenomenon of aging from authority perspectives. The results of the critical analysis of the dominant discourse on selected texts on Welfare Organization website based on Fairclough's three-dimensional model indicate that this platform is at a discursive turning point in the representation of aging in Iran and is transitioning from a supportive to a development-oriented perspective. According to results, the approach to the phenomenon of aging is changing and promising signs of development can be seen in this area, which has transformed aging from an individual crisis to a social issue that paves the way for a more active presence of the elderly in the public space. Although elderly are outwardly referred to as cultural pillars, the allocation of separate spaces to them has marginalized and deprived them of the opportunity to dream about future. Discursive openings and reclaiming the lifeworld of aging are among the things that can flourish the capacity of the elderly to aspire.
Keywords
Aging
Discourse
Fairclough
Post Development
Representation
Subjects
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Iranian Journal Of Antheropology
Volume 23, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42
September 2026
Pages 125-152