本研究的研究目的為探究中年女同志對於老年的想法和預期，並了解中年女同志為老年生活所做的準備。研究者透過質性研究的半結構式訪談法進行訪談，受訪者為三位40~50歲的中年女同志。研究結果發現：中年女同志正面臨生理老化、心理老化，以及社會老化的各種老化現象。中年女同志會透過運動、飲食、規劃醫療險及未來住所規劃，來為自己的生理老化提早做準備。透過心態的調整及與他人分享獲得支持，提早為心理老化做準備。透過財務規劃及支持系統的經營，達到社會老化的準備。中年女同志受華人文化及異性戀文化脈絡的影響，面對法律保障不足與缺乏性別友善的環境及內化恐同的處境下，受訪者仍然為老年生活做積極的準備，並發展老年的重要支持系統。根據研究結果，在「中年女同志的老年限制與責任」、「中年女同志未準備的老年項目」、「中年女同志的內化恐同」以及「從後現代女性主義看見老年女同的無限可能」進行討論，且提出本研究的研究限制，並針對實務工作者、社會教育及未來學術研究，提出相關建議。
With “expectation of life at autumn of life” and “preparation for autumn of life” as the conceptual framework, this study aims to explore the thoughts and concerns of middle-aged lesbians for life at old age and tries to understand their preparation of aging.
This study employs a qualitative research approach. The participants are three middle-aged lesbian females, aging from forty to fifty. The researcher conducted a semi-structural interview with them individually. The study findings after data analyzed showed that middle-aged lesbian females are facings various aging phenomena which included physiological, psychological, and social aging. As for preparation for old age, middle-aged lesbians will prepare their physiological aging through sports, diet, planning on medical insurance and future housing; get support through mental adjustment and sharing with others in preparation for psychological aging; what the participants in this study considered most important for social aging was economic security which included financial planning and also the connections to their social support networks. Middle-aged lesbians are influenced by the Chinese culture as well as heterosexual culture. Middle-aged lesbians are influenced by the Chinese culture and heterosexual culture. They also facing the insufficient legal support and lack of gender-friendly environment as well as internalized homophobic. However, the participants are still actively preparing for their old age with positive attitudes and develop an important support system for their future.
Based on the results of this study, the researcher raised discussions on the restrictions and responsibilities of lesbians in their autumn of life, unprepared contents for old age, internalized homophobia, and seeing the infinite possibilities of middle-aged lesbians from postmodern feminism perspective. Recommendations are made for practitioners, social education, and future academic research.
