Lo personal es político: Transiciones vitales, compromiso cívico y participación de mujeres mayores en Chile

Nicole Mazzucchelli; Karima Chacur-Kiss; Priscilla Astudillo; Vicente Sisto Campos

doi:10.5565/rev/athenea.3915

The personal is political

Life course transitions, civic engagement and participation of older women in Chile

Authors

Nicole Mazzucchelli Viña del Mar University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1864-8553
Karima Chacur-Kiss Universidad Santo Tomás
Priscilla Astudillo San Sebastián University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9741-8432
Vicente Sisto Campos Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4510-4041

Abstract

Research on the civic engagement of older women has increased, but specific approaches to political participation and life trajectories from a life course perspective remain scarce. This study explores how life transitions influence and relate to the political participation of older women throughout their lives. We conducted individual interviews with 18 women over the age of 60 who are members of social organisations in Chile. Through thematic analysis, we identified four types of life transitions: those related to family, work, illness, and the socio-political context. These transitions impact participation trajectories, facilitating or hindering participation or permeating the content of civic activities. We discuss the importance of broadening the notion of political participation, highlighting forms of involvement that emerge from everyday experiences linked to caregiving and traditional gender roles, which are often invisible.

Keywords

Ageing, Political participation, Community participation, Life-course, Agency

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Author Biographies

Nicole Mazzucchelli, Viña del Mar University

Magíster en Gestión Cultural. Dra. en Psicología por la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile y Dra. en Persona y sociedad en el Mundo contemporáneo, por la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. El foco de su investigación se ha centrado en el compromiso cívico y la participación política de las mujeres mayores y las diversidades.

Karima Chacur-Kiss, Universidad Santo Tomás

Máster en Psicogerontología, Doctora en Psicología Social, Universidad de Barcelona. El foco de su investigación se ha centrado en las prácticas artísticas de las personas mayores, particularmente en las experiencias y significados de la participación artística y del envejecimiento.

Priscilla Astudillo , San Sebastián University

Máster en Investigación e intervención social, Dra. en Persona y Sociedad en el Mundo Contemporáneo, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. El foco de su investigación se centra en la psicología social crítica, metodologías de investigación feminista, relaciones sexoafectivas y discursos sociales.