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The Raging Grannies: Defying Stereotypes and Embracing Aging Through Activism 

Author: Dana Sawchuka
Affiliation:   a Department of Sociology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
DOI: 10.1080/08952840903054898
Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year
Published in: journal Journal of Women & Aging, Volume 21, Issue 3 July 2009 , pages 171 - 185
Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)
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Abstract

The Raging Grannies are a group of older women who dress as “grannies” and alter the words of traditional songs to communicate political messages. Based on a review of song lyrics, participant observation, and interviews with 15 Grannies, this study explores Raging Granny activism and the strategic adoption of the grandmother identity. The Grannies challenge stereotypes of older women through the fact and forms of their activism, and they see their aged status as empowering and as something to be embraced. Grannies report that the grandmother identity serves a protective function and enhances movement efficacy. This case study adds to the sparse literature on older women's political activism and demonstrates that identity exploration is not restricted to youth-centered movements.
Keywords: Raging Grannies; older women; social movements; activism; stereotypes; identity
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