5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

This session will focus on research, theories, and practices of joy, meaning and positivity in social gerontology and the sociology of age and ageing. Our scientific inquiries are often led by problems that need to be empirically described and whose solutions have to be supported. However, ageing as a social process can be, and is, also a time of positive developments and experiences, sources of happiness and positive encounters. While there are many topics which sociologists agree would need more attention, we feel the issue of happiness and positivity in ageing research is truly underdeveloped. This session is hoping to bring together papers that will start to remedy this gap.
We welcome empirical as well as theoretical or methodological contributions on a variety of topics, areas and lifestyles that bring feelings of joy and pleasure or contribute to a sense of meaningfulness in later life.