Centenarian women in Chile: diversity and intersectionality in female longevity

Abstract

One of the main demographic transformations of modern societies is the lengthening of life and the greater number of older people, compared to younger generations, being women the ones who live longer. This article describes and analyzes the daily lives of centenarian women, which has been conducted under a qualitative and ethnographic design, in central and southern territories, in Chile, by using both, the biographical interview and the direct observation techniques. Results are presented as ethnographic tales about these women, from both urban and rural areas. Results show the axes of diversity and intersectionality, in the frame of gender, care, family structures, their homes and socio-territorial features. Strategies to adapt to such contexts are highlighted, as well as the possible shapes of autonomy and agency during old ages. The findings show that enquiring about the reasons that would explain why women live longer than men have not been enough, thus, it is absolutely necessary to consider the observation of their whole lives from their feminine identities, as well as their sociocultural contexts which have helped to extend their life expectancy.