INTRODUCTION . . 1 Chapter 1 Developing Research Selves: The Desire, Opportunity, and Preparation to Do a Study . . 15 Chapter 2 Becoming Independent of the Sponsor . . 33 Chapter 3 Gaining Allies, Overcoming Antagonists, Being Tested . . 47 Chapter 4 Personal Selves . . 63 Chapter 5 Understanding the Elderly as a Consequence of My Mothering Role . . 81 Chapter 6 Being a Woman, a Wife, 33 years old, a Jew and a Potential Member . . 93 Chapter 7 Being an American, an Academic, a Sociologist/Anthropologist/ Gerontologist, Dancer and Daughter . . 123 Chapter 8 Situational Selves: Being a Worker, Being Temporary . . 143 Chapter 9 Being a "Volunteer" (Neither a Volunteer nor a Hired Worker) and Being Sick . . 167 Chapter 10 Being a Neighbor, a Friend, a Homemaker, a Hostess and a Leaver . . 179 Chapter 11 Theoretical Conclusions . . 205 EPILOGUE . . 209 BIBLIOGRAPHY . . 213 INDEX . . 221