Participation in electronic dance music events has a range of benefits for health and wellbeing and attracts a broad range of attendees, including those who no longer fit within the category of ‘youth’. Although a broadening demographic indicates growing diversification and inclusivity within club culture, experiences differ between groups and reveal socially constructed norms associated with age and gender. This study investigated older women’s motivations for and experiences of participating in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and explored how this group sustains and maintains their involvement. One hundred and thirty-six female clubbers aged 40 years or over (age range = 40–65 years) completed a survey. EDM participation played a central role in women’s mental and physical health and provided them with social connectedness, an outlet for self-expression, and a release from pressures of daily life. Despite these positive benefits, participation was not without challenges as women reported navigating other people’s views on what was deemed to be ‘appropriate’ behaviour for older, female clubbers and highlighted grappling with their own prejudices about age. The research identified strategies they use to manage their continued participation in a music scene traditionally associated with youth and considered the extent to which their experiences of ageing affect and shape their involvement.

中文翻译：

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年龄只是一个数字：40岁以上女性持续参与电子舞曲


参加电子舞曲活动对健康和福祉有一系列好处，并吸引了广泛的参与者，包括那些不再属于“青年”类别的人。尽管不断扩大的人口结构表明俱乐部文化中越来越多样化和包容性，但不同群体的经历有所不同，并揭示了与年龄和性别相关的社会建构规范。本研究调查了老年女性参与电子舞曲 （EDM） 的动机和经历，并探讨了这个群体如何维持和维持她们的参与。136 名年龄在 40 岁或以上（年龄范围 = 40-65 岁）的女性俱乐部成员完成了一项调查。参与 EDM 对女性的身心健康起着核心作用，并为她们提供了社会联系、自我表达的出口以及从日常生活压力中解脱出来的机会。尽管有这些积极的好处，但参与并非没有挑战，因为女性报告说，她们可以理解其他人对年长女性俱乐部成员认为什么是“适当”行为的看法，并强调了她们与自己对年龄的偏见作斗争。该研究确定了他们用来管理自己在传统上与青年相关的音乐场景中的持续参与的策略，并考虑了他们的老龄化经历在多大程度上影响和塑造他们的参与。