Dying and anti-dying: a social taxonomy at the end-of-life

Allan Kellehear*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This theoretical paper describes a classification with accompanying analysis of the main forms of social conduct at the end of life that goes beyond our usual understanding of sociological characterisations of dying. A taxonomy of end-of-life conduct is presented that illustrates and categorises past and contemporary sociological studies of end-of-life conduct and experiences. The categories include embodiment-led dying, systems-led dying, criticism-led dying, endangerment, and anti-dying. Discussion of this spectrum of behaviour is compared with current research and theory in the sociology of dying resulting in critical observations about limitations and omissions in the current work of this field. The paper ends with identification of theoretical limitations before discussing implications for future theory, research, and policy development for the sociology of dying and for end-of-life studies more generally.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-381
Number of pages19
JournalMortality
Volume29
Issue number3
Early online date27 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • dying
  • end-of-life care
  • medicalisation
  • social diversity
  • theory

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