Narratives of Aging: Redefining the Golden Years

This paper examines the evolving narratives of aging and their impact on how later life is perceived, experienced, and represented across historical, cultural, psychological, and technological domains. It critiques dominant discourses that often associate aging with decline, dependency, and invisibility, while highlighting the emergence of counter-narratives that emphasize agency, growth, continuity, and identity in later life. Through interdisciplinary insights from gerontology, psychology, media studies, and social policy, this paper examines how older adults construct and reconstruct their life stories, navigate intergenerational dynamics, and engage with modern technologies. It further considers the implications of narrative foreclosure, ageism, and socio-economic inequalities on the aging experience. The research underscores the potential of narrative frameworks to reshape public perceptions, inform inclusive policymaking, and foster a more empowering and holistic understanding of aging as a socially embedded and culturally diverse process. Keywords: Aging narratives, narrative gerontology, identity in old age, counter-narratives, cultural representations, intergenerational relationships.