ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a review of theoretical discussion of pivotal concepts, ageing and life course. It aims to contribute to a discussion of future research approaches as well as to further research issues, on the basis of the review. Gerontology, as a discipline which has focused on the processes of ageing, defined in terms of a decline in functions, has thus concentrated on ageing among the middle-aged and the older persons, and on ageing populations. T. K. Hareven discusses the life course explicitly in terms of individual time and historical time. The distinguishing characteristic of the sociological perspective on the life course is the interest on institutionalization. The chapter discusses research on ageing and the life course with two partially divergent focuses. It presents a more overarching discussion about approaches to and perspectives on research in this field. The chapter also discusses some specific research issues in the field, focusing on issues of identity, time and space.
