Integrating older persons’ narratives of resistance with critical discourse analysis to counter ageist discourses

Abstract

This study examines ageist discourses in Pakistan’s Sindh province, employing an integrated approach that combines observations, narratives, and critical discourse analysis. Observations of participants in real-life settings were used to collect data. Moreover, six narrative interviews with older Sindhi participants were conducted to provide in-depth insights into how ageist discourses are constructed and resisted. The analysis demonstrated two dominant ageist discourses: the discourse of physical decline and the discourse of psychological instability. However, these discourses were countered by integrating participants’ narratives of resistance, highlighting their agency, preferred identities, and healthiness. This study contributes to the understanding of ageism in Sindh and underscores the importance of centering the voices and experiences of older persons in challenging ageist discourses.