Political Participation, Stereotypes and Support Networks among Elderly Migrants

Abstract

While some progress has been made in researching political participation among the elderly, awareness of older migrants' involvement in protests remains limited. This ethnographic study aimed to explore the role of older adults in the pension protests organized by Venezuelans in Spain from the subjective perspectives of those involved. Twenty-two protesters were interviewed, with additional insights gathered from documentary evidence and participant observations. The findings challenge traditional notions of declining involvement in old age and confront common stereotypes of passivity and frailty. Protests emerge as expressions of transnational identity, agency, and resilience, actively countering age-related stigmas and even leveraging them. This study highlights the underappreciated participation of older adults in collective action, offering new perspectives on their vital role in challenging commonly held assumptions.