Review of sociological theories on aging and old age

In this study, sociological theories, and approaches to the phenomenon of aging and old age are examined. The study consists of three parts. In the first part, the subject, importance, and method of the research are explained. The aging process is not only a biological phenomenon, but also a psychological, social, and cultural process directly affected by the dynamics of social functioning (such as economic relations). Increasing life expectancy and the process we call "social ageing" bring about a series of social changes (or the necessity of change). It is important to be able to comprehend this change to evaluate the phenomena of aging and old age, which are widely thought about, in today's conditions. For this purpose, the second part of the study analyses how the concepts of age and ageing are basically handled today and how various societies have evaluated ageing from antiquity to the present day. Finally, the second part is concluded by analysing social ageing and the social construction of old age. In the third part of the study, sociological theories, and approaches to old age, which has become a social phenomenon, are examined in 4 sections. In this review, which is based on chronological order, the development of theories and approaches and how they evaluate the phenomenon of old age and aging are examined. As a result, this thesis emphasises that ageing is a complex and multidimensional process. The factors that determine the quality of the aging process are not only biological factors, but also social, cultural, and economic factors play an important role. In addition, it can be stated that the theories and approaches examined are generally fed by social and cultural phenomena, and express economic relations, but bring analyses through adaptation to economic relations rather than a solution.