Module 9 Sociological Theories of Aging - The Aged as a Sub-Culture PDF

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Prof: Pianosi...

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Module 9 Sociological Theories of Aging: The Aged as a Sub-Culture Part 1: Sociological Theories -

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Role Theory o Role Changes fall into 2 broad categories:  The relinquishment of relationships and roles typical of adulthood  Their replacement by retirement and new roles wherein one becomes more dependent on other o Major problem people are facing is that they are more apt to lose roles than gain new ones Activity Theory o Based on negative premise, that aging brings maladjustment, but that through activity readjustment optimal aging can be achieved o The individual who is able to maintain the activities of the middle years for as long as possible will be satisfied with their lives in their later years o One criticism is that the assumption that older people have the capacity to reconstruct their lives depends on one’s income, nexus of friends and relationships, education and health Disengagement Theory o Older people tend to withdraw from engagement with society and concomitantly, society withdraws from the elderly o Process of engagement is both inevitable and universal Continuity Theory o Older adults make adaptive choices so as to preserve ties with their past o Continuity can be internal, external or both o Internal continuity requires memory and is related to an on-going inner structure of ideas, values, beliefs, feelings of competence and self-esteem o External, continuity would involve a continuance of social roles, friendships, life styles, etc. Socio-Environmental Theory o Effect of different physical and social contexts may have in the meaning of older individuals place on their lives o Two factors:  Physical proximity of the other persons  Age homogeneity of a social environment Exchange Theory o Based on the observation that older people received regular support from a variety of friends, family and neighbours and that many could not survive on their own without this support o Many older people may be support providers themselves, helping out spouses, other family member, neighbours and friends o Major role in Exchange Theory is Reciprocity  People should help those who have helped them

Reciprocity cannot always be the rule especially as people get older and frail Role of Beneficence  Individuals help others without any thought about what others have done or can do for them o When one has to always assume the sole of “assisted” life satisfaction decreases Symbolic Interactionism o People behave according to perceptions and meanings developed through social interaction o How we look at ourselves as we age depends upon how society views aging o o

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Part 2: The Subculture of Aging -

All theories relate to idea that there is an aged subculture In any subculture, members interact much more with other members of their subculture than they do with other in their society Reason for Subculture o Retired o Called seniors: get discounts o Live in retirement homes o Go to Florida or Arizona in winter...