SELECTED THESES ON THE CIRCUMPOLAR ARCTIC

This dissertation investigates recurrent features of adult development and aging in Holman and the problems they create for people of different ages. It explores several different realms of human development in Inuit life, paying particular attention to life stage transitions, Inuit conceptions of elderhood, and quality of life issues for older people in the community. The investigation of these different spheres of human development and aging in Holman led to the discovery of a number of cultural themes that represent an underlying 'Inuitness' that is sometimes overlooked when scholars make assumptions about the effects of culture change on Northern communities. This thesis addresses these issues of human development by examining how Inuit perceive and construct the life course in light of numerous cultural changes that have occurred in the community over the past three decades. As is discussed in the following chapters, some scholars and theorists maintain that 'modernization' necessarily leads to detrimental cultural changes. Some expect that older members of a community will become isolated an Fd estranged from their juniors because material and ideological changes render the skills and knowledge of older people obsolete. An examination of the structure of the life course (Chapter Four), however, suggests that, at least on an ideological level, Inuit culture is intact. Younger people remain in general agreement with their elders on how their lives should unfold. An investigation of Inuit perceptions of what constitutes a successful (and unsuccessful) elderhood (Chapter Five) demonstrates that the problems of aging are perceived by both young and old people as being very similar. Men and women, however, differ in their assessment of what issues are more important as people manage their old age. A more detailed examination of health and functionality (Chapter Six) addresses two issues. In addition to investigating the correlates between age and health and functionality, Chapter Six explores the methodological issues involved in adapting standardized assessments developed primarily in 'modernized' North America to Inuit culture.'