Older Women in Latin America. An Intersectional Analysis

Abstract

The number of older people in the world continues to rise. Within this population, the study of older women is an emerging field of research. From a gender perspective, the inequalities faced by older women in Latin America and the Caribbean are analyzed. The subordination of women in various indicators of quality of life is evidenced, resulting in a profound inequity in terms of health, well-being and access to the rights of older women. They face intersectional discrimination; in this sense, the concept of ageism, which encompasses stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination towards people based on their age, is addressed. The concept of intersectionality provides an enriching focus for theological ethics by addressing the understanding of the older subject from the perspective of the complexity and interconnectedness of human experiences. The text also explores the relationship between the female body and cultural and social exigencies, noting how historical discourses have shaped the perception of women's bodies. The problematic of the invisibility and hypervisibility of older women's bodies is highlighted, as well as the social and market demand to sustain a youthful body.