Creating Culturally Relevant Ways of Thinking about Diversity and Aging: Theoretical Challenges for the Twenty-First Century

This chapter discusses “ways of thinking” as they affect the development of culturally, ethnically, and racially relevant theories in the field of gerontology. It provides a brief discussion of how existing ways of thinking—namely, the focus on social inequality—have influenced the development of theoretical perspectives with respect to diversity and aging. The chapter suggests some additional approaches and ways of thinking that may enhance the development of culturally relevant theoretical perspectives. It highlights issues of culturally relevant ways of thinking as they affect the development of theoretical perspectives on diversity and aging. The chapter also discusses three ways that may be useful in developing theoretical perspectives relevant to diverse aging populations: the use of grounded theory; the use of resources in the humanities as a basis for understanding and interpreting important themes in the lives of ethnic/minority elderly. It describes incorporating a life-course perspective in the study of ethnic/minority aged.