ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how gerontological interest came about over time and how intriguing issues came up and caught his interest. It explores issues like age, generations, time and context. The chapter looks at the elderly in the system of the modern welfare state, and at the paradoxes created by its approach to ageing and older people. It discusses several topics which may be considered to be interesting for new research about ageing with an emphasis on a qualitative approach. The chapter provides suggestions for topics in research programmes about ageing; topics, which seem to be of special interest in the context of research, which has its main focus on qualitative research. Saying 'Ageing is a family affair', acknowledges that ageing brings about a gradual but crucial shift in position and perspective, which takes place in the context of a kinship system.
