Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

As people have aged and social gerontologists have observed them, four perspectives have emerged to explain how they have adjusted to aging. • Disengagement theory: Elderly withdraw from society (and society withdraws from the elderly). Social roles diminish, leading many to depression. • Activity theory: Elderly reduce their levels of activity and involvement due to societal structures, but if they can maintain some of their activity level, they feel better about themselves. • Continuity theory: The elderly are simply continuing their life journey and will tend to deal with the changes at this stage similar to how they dealt with change throughout their life. • Aged as a subculture: Elderly, feeling separate from other age groups, seek to spend their time with others of the same subculture. The Graying of America The post-World War II ‘baby boom’ phenomenon has impacted every area of American life. An unprecedented number of babies were born between 1946 and 1964. In the 1950s and 60s, the American education system had to develop in ways to handle the influx of the 76 million children born during that surge. Colleges had to soon do the same thing. Figure out how to enlarge or bust. In the 1970s, the job market was flooded; unemployment rose. Into the 21st century now, this generation is retiring causing Americans of every age to think about Social Security and other supportive services aimed at this generation. As age creeps up on an individual, he or she may notice their hair graying, vision loss, hearing deficits, and slow reflexes. All of these biological changes make for large adjustments to daily life. Mental functioning and agility usually impedes social interactions, leaving the aging feeling more alone than ever. Chronic medical conditions usually develop or are worsened by the body’s physical aging process. Retirement has become a reality (or forced reality) for the elderly since the Social Security Act of 1935 that made it possible for the oldest members of society to be financially free from work. As age increases, it becomes more necessary for an individual to have housing close to essential services, like health care, transportation, and food. For this reason, retirement communities are popular, but these facilities isolate the old from younger age groups. In fact, family care is the preferred method of living for the aged, but it is not monetarily feasible in most cases, resulting in even more choosing to live in communities orhomes. Today’s health care system is being pressured to change in response to rising costs, new diseases, and moral issues. Socioeconomic factors tend to force some life-saving decisions. If medical insurance won’t pay and the individual can’t afford a potentially life-saving, but expensive, treatment, what is theethical choice?

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