“Terceira idade na contemporaneidade”: as transformações no papel da família da mulher viúva

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate family relations during the last phase of the life cycle, under the perspective of elderly, widows that live alone and are engaged in elderly activities. These women seems to paradigm shift; they use to be wives and mothers but nowadays they are living for their own good). This research is relevant to raise awareness in the emerging field of Psychology of Aging and the role of the elderly widows. This study is based on the Systemic theory and the concepts of the Life Cycle Theory. I did a qualitative research with three volunteers between seventy and seventy- eight years old in a collective case study the phenomenological hermeneutics for analysis I understood that some roles were kept and others arise from the new experiences that came from the interaction of the Family systems with the social environment. Those results pointed to an efficient paradigm shift in a construction of a life cycle with new directions and future projects. The whole situation became from a personal lifestyle, where they became independent enough. These widows and wives could identify that they waste their elderly and couldn’t access the resources that weren’t explored yet. It became clear that the last phase of the Life Cycle can be a very meaningful, joyful and socially productive one when self care and management of one’s own life can happen.