When I get old

Mature masculinity and good aging in new Danish poetry written by aging male poets

Abstract

The article argues that the concept of ‘successful aging’ (Rowe & Kahn, 1987) is problematic from the perspective of the last years of life because many people cannot or will not try to live up to its ideals of avoiding disease and staying healthy and active, and consequently might feel unsuccessful. This may especially be the case for men whose masculinity, traditionally understood as related to being powerful and autonomous, might be under pressure in the face of advanced age and the potential need for assisted living. Instead, we propose the concept of ‘mature masculinity’ as something open to certain age-related bodily and mental experiences of frailty and loss and dependence. We explore this concept and these experiences through a series of readings of poetry written by aging male poets: Jørgen Leth, Jess Ørnsbo and Peter Poulsen.