Disengagement of older people in an urban setting

Abstract

liThe Methodological Position of Symbol ic Interactionism," .QE.. cit., p. 35. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED RESEARCH Cumming and Henry view aging and withdrawal as correlated linear processes ~nd aging as the determinant of disengagement. However, the present writer feels that such an explanation is oversimplified. Causes of non-engagement may be varied and multiple, and individuals are affected not only by the passage of time, but mainly by the happenings during that time (Cf. Ta11mer, 1967). Cumming and HEiiry equate successful aging and good morale (1961, p. 131), with which decision one cannot quarrel. But they attribute good morale to their type of disengagement, which is the antithesis of the activity theory view. They advocate resignation to restrictions on the older person; they plead in favor of giving up instrumentality; and they condone the loss of autonomy (p. 161). Cumming and Henry recommend acceptance of retirement (pp. 162 ff.), and generally laud a submissive attitude. They speak of "compensatory reidentification" (p. 169) and changed preference for "relational rewards II (pp. 76 ff). In contrast to activity theory, disengagement theory is entirely pessimistic. Indeed, it is devastating. It is linked to the expectation of death (Cumming and Henry, 1961, p. 211), and, according to the theory's proponents, the prospects for the 01 der person are truly bl eak: liThe fully disengaged condition of the living car. be considered to exist when

Aprender a Aprender No Entardecer Da Vida: O Retorno À Universidade Na Promoção Do Envelhecimento Ativo

“…Não temos dúvida que será na cultura -particularmente manifesta nas suas vertentes simbólica e normativa -que reside a chave para a compreensão do lugar atribuído a todos os indivíduos, às instituições, às diferentes fases de vida e, por conseguinte, à pessoa idosa. (Somers, 1977;Machado, 1994) sendo, por conseguinte, de inegável acuidade nas sociedades que visivelmente se urbanizaram.…”