Gift wrapping ourselves: the final gift exchange

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Jonathan I MarxLee Q Miller

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the "final gift exchange" process by which older adults give cherished possessions in return for lasting appreciation. We interviewed 54 middle- and upper-middle-class people (39 women) aged 50-90 who had to dispose of personal objects when moving to smaller residences. We used Goffman's spiraling strategy in our analysis of people's reports of disposing of personal possessions. We identified three salient dimensions (family, economy, and self) of this process and created a heuristic describing eight ideal-type gift exchange scenarios by categorizing objects as valued or not valued by family and the economy as well as being an important aspect of the gift giver's material self. By applying the heuristic, we observed that a lack of shared definitions of the meaning and value of objects created dilemmas in disposing of personal objects, particularly those connected to a person's material self. We also offer suggestions for making the process go more smoothly, such as inquiring about the preferences of others and telling stories associated with objects to create shared definitions of the objects' significance to the giver and/or to family history.

References

Jan 1, 1977·International Journal of Aging & Human Development·E Sherman, E S Newman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 14, 2013·Ageing and Society·David J EkerdtCatherine Lysack
Sep 11, 2004·The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences·David J EkerdtMary Elizabeth Bowen
Aug 9, 2011·Sociological Inquiry·Gabriella V Smith, David J Ekerdt
Oct 19, 2006·Journal of Aging Studies·David J Ekerdt, Julie F Sergeant
Jul 15, 2015·Journal of Aging Studies·David J Ekerdt, Aislinn Addington
Feb 5, 2015·Research on Aging·Aislinn Addington, David J Ekerdt

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
David J EkerdtMary Elizabeth Bowen
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
D L Redfoot, K W Back
Journal of Aging Studies
David J Ekerdt, Julie F Sergeant
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved