Chapter 12 : Aging

Aging

  Biological, psychological, and social aging are not the same and may vary considerably within and across cultures. It is important not to confuse a person's social age with his or her chronological age.

  Physical aging is inevitable, but for most people, proper nutrition, diet, and exercise can preserve a high level of health well into old age.

The Graying of U.S. Society

  Because of low mortality and fertility rates, American society is rapidly graying, or aging. There are today some 34 million Americans older than sixty-five, a figure forecast to reach 80 million by the year 2030. The elderly are a large and rapidly growing category that is extremely diverse economically, socially, and politically.

Theories of Aging

  Functionalist theories of aging originally argued that the disengagement of the elderly from society was desirable. Disengagement theory held that the elderly should pull back from their traditional social roles as younger people move into them. Activity theory , on the other hand, soon came to emphasize the importance of being engaged and busy as a source of vitality.

  Conflict theorists of aging have focused on how the routine operation of social institutions produces various forms of inequality among the elderly.

  The most recent theories regard the elderly as capable of taking control over their own lives and playing an active role in politics and the economy.

Aging and Inequality

  Most of the elderly in U.S. society manage to lead independent lives that they report to be largely satisfying and fulfilling. Still, some suffer from poverty, social isolation, and costly medical problems, as well as from ageism , prejudice, and/or discrimination based on age.

 By providing the elderly with retirement income and critical health care insurance, Social Security and Medicare have helped to raise a significant number of elderly people out of poverty. There is some debate over whether these programs are overly generous to the elderly and therefore threaten generational equity . In fact, however, the levels of support they offer are modest. Considerable debate nonetheless exists over whether their future funding is likely to be sound.

The Politics of Aging

  The elderly are as politically and socially diverse as any group in society. But on issues that affect their interest, they are capable of exerting a great deal of uniform political pressure. Their political influence is likely to increase as their numbers grow.

Lifelong Learning

  The elderly are capable of lifelong learning, and it seems likely that as their numbers increase, so will efforts to provide andragogy (adult-centered education) and geragogy (older-adult learning) for those who want it.

Globalization and Social Change

  Globalization threatens the traditional roles of the elderly in many societies. The role of the elderly throughout the world is in a rapid state of transition.

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