Bateson, Mary Catherine

Description

Anthropologist and expert on aging Mary Catherine Bateson discusses her book, Composing a Further Life: The Age of Active Wisdom.Mary Catherine Bateson sees aging today as an "improvisational art form calling for imagination and willingness to learn," and in this study, she relates the experiences of men and women--herself included--who, upon entering this second phase of adulthood, have found new meaning and new ways to contribute, composing their lives in new patterns.Among the people Bateson engages in open-ended, in-depth conversations are a retired Maine boatyard worker who has become a silversmith and maker of fine jewelry; an African American woman who explores the importance of grandmothering; two gay men finding contentment in mutual caring; the retired dean of a cathedral in New York City who exemplifies how a multiplicity of interests and connections lead to deeper unity; and Jane Fonda, who shares her ways of dealing with change and spiritual growth.

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WGBH

Record Harvested From

Digital Commonwealth