What is a key belief of postmodernists regarding the elderly?

Postmodernists view society as characterized by complexity and fluidity, which extends to their understanding of age and the elderly. They believe that the roles and identities associated with age are not fixed but rather fluid and subject to change. This perspective acknowledges that as social norms evolve, the way individuals experience aging and the roles they take on can vary significantly.

For instance, the traditional notions of what it means to be elderly—often linked to decline or dependence—are challenged by postmodernists, who emphasize that many older adults actively redefine their identities and roles. This fluidity allows for a diverse range of experiences and expressions of aging, rejecting the idea that there is a one-size-fits-all narrative for individuals as they grow older.

While other options present different views on aging, such as the inevitability of declining roles or rigid age categories, these views are more aligned with modernist perspectives that often see age as a binary determinant of social roles. In contrast, the postmodern emphasis on fluidity highlights the dynamic and varied nature of the elderly experience in contemporary society.