"Divided into three parts, the first two parts of the book offer a critical appraisal of traditional and postmodern theoretical approaches to the life course, arguing for a more synthetic approach which takes fuller account of recent academic work on the body. The final part then explores the usefulness of this approach in the substantive areas of sex, gender, family, kinship, work and consumption, thus addressing our experience of changing age-based identities across the life course.". "This body of interdisciplinary material relating to the life course as a whole will provide undergraduates with new theoretical perspectives on this fascinating subject."--BOOK JACKET.