1. Sociological Theories of Aging Lecture 7 – Chapter 9 There are many ways to grow old… Some are better than others

2. Sociological Theories:  the roles and social habits of individuals in society Explanation of the changes in social relationships that occurs in late adulthood Optimal way for older adults to relate to their environment What determines successful aging

3. Role Theory (Cottrell, 1942) Individuals play variety of social roles in their lifetimes … how many roles do you have? Such roles identify and describe a person as a social being and are the basis of self-concept How well individuals adjust to aging is assumed to depend on how well they accept the role changes typical of later years Successful Aging

4. Roles change during the life span Successful aging depends on how well individuals accept changing roles Age Norms: Beliefs that a person “ought to act a certain way” Formally Expressed Informally Expressed Role Theory Policy, laws, etc. Social groups Family Friends Age Grading: Using age as a criterion to decide what role is appropriate www.ssa.gov/retirechartred.htm

5. Normative Timetables “All of us carry around a system of temporal reckoning” Role Theory Every society conveys age norms  individuals learn to perform new roles, adjust to changing roles, relinquish old ones, and thereby become integrated into society

6. 18 24 F 24-35 45-56 65 26 M Complete high school Begin college Marriage First Child Career Building Child Rearing Children leave home Grandparenthood Retirement Normative Timetable for Major Roles: Are the roles unidirectional ?

7. Feb. 20, 2006 Janice Wulf 62-year-old great-grandmother from Redding, CA gave birth to a 6 lb baby boy (Adam) grandmother to 20 and the great-grandmother of 3 www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11451753

8. Basic Roles (dependence) Child Friend Student Worker Spouse Parent Grandparent (dependence) Older adults must deal with role losses; these can lead to an erosion of social identity and self-esteem

9. Types of Social Structures Age differentiatedAge Integrated Source: Riley, M.W. & Riley, J.W. 2000: Age Integration: Conceptual and Historical Background. The Gerontologist, 40, 266-70. Leisure Work Education Old Age Middle Young EducationWorkLeisure

10. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7232294 New Roles for Women in Retirement Years Worker Financial Planner

11. Activity Theory Havighurst & Colleagues, 1963 The more activity older adults engage in, the greater the life satisfaction. Self concept is related to roles then previous roles must be replaced with new ones to remain active Older adults deny the existence of old age – fight the aging process

12. Activity Theory of Aging Attempted to answer how older adults adjust to age-related changes, such as retirement, poor health, and role loss….step further then role theory Based on Robert Havighurst’s analyses of the Kansas City Studies of Adult Life (1963, 1968) Activity = Satisfaction

13. Statistics for the increase come from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Plastic surgeon Dr. Sheldon Sevinor specializes in nipping and tucking older adults. Recovery took almost three weeks. But she says she'd do it all again -- in a heartbeat. "I'd say to everyone -- go for it. Anyone who wants it, you go for it. It's like traveling. You do it as long as you're able." surgical techniques modified face-lift/thinning hair: the incisions placed to better camouflage the scars may choose to have earlobes reduced at the same time Longer recovery tummy tucks- elasticity issues eye lid – less tissue removal, dry eye Gladie Sargeant eye-lift, a face-lift, a nose job, and a chemical peel "I was so excited I couldn't wait to do it. As they were wheeling me down to the O.R. I said to myself, 'Boy this is the greatest adventure of my life.'" 65 yrs & older 121,000 in 1997 more than 425,000 in 2001

14. June 13, 2005 (Scotland) Fauja Singh oldest ever marathon relay team five-man team named “Sikhs in the City” combined age of 397 years came in 730th of the 912 teams (4hr 16min 24sec) World’s Oldest Marathoner, 94, Leads Team of Seniors in Scotland

15. The 60+ Fight Song Tune: The Sheik CSU we’re here for you; To help with what you do. Doré, the gym, the rose; The birds, the crowds, who knows? Having fun, we learn, we shine; We sing, we laugh, we dine. Despite the freeze, the fry, We’re young until we die. (second-half music, Gilbert & Sullivan style) We’re not idle conversation, Nor afraid of perspiration; Education, recreation, in this section Of the nation. Sixty-plus’ll cut the mustard, And we’re never, ever flustered. We’re young until we die!! founded in 1986 partnership between the university & community of retired persons Member-motivated & member governed Purpose: provide personal enrichment, educational opportunities, volunteer challenges, and social activities in a campus environment utilizing the resources of the university and experience of its members. There are no educational requirements to join and participation in club activities is voluntary. The interest groups meet at various locations and different times of the month throughout the academic year. CSUB’s 60+ Club

16. Aug. 30, 2004 George Brunstad oldest person to swim the English Channel raised $11,000 for an orphanage in Haiti completed the 21 mi. in 15 hrs and 59 min George Brunstad Conquers English Channel at 70

17. The Meaning of Activity Everyone looks for meaning in life…right? Activities that people do are made meaningful based on their values and cultural backgrounds. The environment/context in which an activity takes place also adds meaning to the activity in question. Outcomes of engaging in activity also impact meaning – for example: –Satisfaction of participant –Increased Self-esteem –Pragmatic (getting the job done) –Altruistic goal met

18. Activity Theory the well-adjusted older adult  takes on larger #’s and variety of productive roles through activities in voluntary work, churches, leisure organizations The more active, the greater life satisfaction, positive self-concept, and adjustment in late-life

19. Empirical Support Positive Correlation between activity & life satisfaction (LS) (Lemon et al., 1972: just activity with friends & Knapps et al., 1977: # of hrs spent with friends & LS) Negative Correlation between activity & life satisfaction… (Knapps et al., 1977: formal activity)

20. Empirical Evidence Against Activity Theory Melillo, K.D. (1980). Informal activity involvement and the perceived rate of time passage for an older institutionalized population, Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 6(7), 392-397. Rationale: Involvement in meaningful informal activity (social interaction: relatives/ friends/ neighbors) is important for protecting an older adult’s individual sense of well-being and can be measured using the perception of time passing swiftly Hypothesis: positive relationship between # of hrs of informal activity involvement and the perception of time passing swiftly among an older institutionalized population. failed to support the hypothesis of a swifter perceived rate of time passage for institutionalized subjects involved in planned activity involvement of an informal nature Results (N=30 residents of 200-bed, non-profit NH)

21. Melillo (1980) What happen? Implications for institutionalized Captive Audience…Informal activity instigated by staff, family, or peer insistence…not something they really wanted to so…conflict may present itself in a slower perceived rate of time passage Allowing individual choices related to all aspects of health care essential, including activity programs

22. Differences in personality Differences in physical function Just want to do nothing! what’s the major problem with activity theory? Control over social situation Socioeconomic effects Cultural effects

23. Withdrawal from society Decreased interaction Disengagement Theory Cummings & Henry, 1961 older adults withdraw from participation in activity elders disengage emotionally from others and from events

24. Disengagement Theory “aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and others in the social system he/she belongs to.” Beneficial for both the aging individual and society that such disengagement takes place in order to minimize the social disruption caused at an aging person's eventual death

25. Disengagement Theory Older people decrease their activity levels, seek more passive roles, interact less frequently with others, and become increasingly preoccupied with their inner lives; thus, disengagement viewed as adaptive behavior More reflective about life Less constrained by social roles More discerning about relationships: can help them adjust to increasing frequency of serious illness/death among peers PositiveNegative Supports Ageist attitudes Little empirical support (physical & social stress  disengage) Doesn’t take into account variation in personalities

26. Carl Gustav Jung (1875 – 1961) Swiss Psychiatrist extroverted and introverted personality, archetypes, and the collective unconscious Older persons have a duty and a necessity to devote serious attention to themselves  find meaning in inner exploration and the afterlife “ After having lavished its light upon the world the sun withdraws its rays in order to illuminate itself”

27. Continuity Theory Atchley, 1989 Shortcomings with other theories led to… Substitutes similar roles for lost ones Continue to maintain similar adaptation strategies As we age we become more of what we were Past HX counts - basic personality, attitudes, and behaviors remain constant throughout the life span Each person provides their own standard for successful aging

28. Continuity Theory Elders attempt to continue with important activities Elders perceive activities as continuous Successful aging is characterized by how much continuity the elder has with activities 3 general categories of continuity (Atchley, 1989): 1.“Too little” : unpredictable 2.“Optimum” : pace of change is consistent with personal preferences & social demands …in line with capacity to cope with change 3. “Too much” : too predictable

29. Continuity Theory (Atchley)… Intuitive appeal… Problems with Theory???? Differences in personality Differences in physical function just want to do nothing! Control over social situation Socioeconomic effects Cultural effects