Fairy Tales and Psychological Development in Late Life: A Cross-Cultural Hermeneutic Study
- 1 June 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Gerontologist
- Vol. 27 (3) , 340-346
- https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/27.3.340
Abstract
Although most traditional fairy tales are focused on youthful characters, a distinct minority feature older adults as protagonists. Such fairy tales were located in published cross-cultural collections, and their recurrent themes analyzed. Of 2500 fairy tales reviewed, only 2% featured older adults as protagonists. Discussed are six major themes from these unique stories, illustrated by typical tales, and relating their psychological insights to recent work in adult development.Keywords
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