Ageing and the Monstrous

What is it about?

This article introduces feminist philosopher Margrit Shildrick’s queer notion of the monstrous to the subject of ageing and the issue of dealing with frailty within ageing research. The monstrous, as a norm-critical notion, takes as its point of departure that we are always already monstrous, meaning that the western ideal of well-ordered, independent, unleaky, rational embodied subjects is impossible to achieve. From this starting point the normalizing and optimizing strategies of ageing research – here exemplified through the concept of successful ageing and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease – can be problematized. The notion of the monstrous instead suggests a view on ageing and ‘monstrous’ embodiment which provides room for other, different ways of being recognized as an embodied subject, and for dealing with difference, vulnerability and frailty.

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Why is it important?

Ageing is an important topic in both acedemia and political debates today, as the ageing populations brings up concerns about the economic, social and individual management of the ageing body. The article contributes to both ageing research and queer-feminist scholarship by engaging with these concerns as they manifest in discussions about 'successful ageing' and Alzheimer's disease, making a critical 'queer' analysis of the norms and practices concerning these topics which suggests a more positive approach to vulnerability and frailty.