preview

Theories Of Disengagement

Decent Essays
Open Document

Theories of Ageing The Disengagement Theory: This theory claims that it is natural and normal for the elder to detach from personal relationships and society as they age and withdraw from the roles they played in adulthood. The Disengagement Theory was created by social scientists Elaine Cumming and William Earle Henry and it was published in the Growing Old book in 1961. These two theorists had 9 postulates that confirm the disengagement theory. • “People lose social ties to those around them because they expect death, and their abilities to engage with others deteriorate over time. • As a person begins to disengage, they are increasingly freed from social norms which guide interaction. Losing touch with norms reinforces and fuels the …show more content…

Simultaneously younger adults are trained to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to take over the roles played by those who disengage. • Complete disengagement happens when both the individual and society are ready for this to occur. A disjunction between the two will occur when one is ready but not the other. • People who have disengaged adopt new social roles so as not to suffer a crisis of identity or become demoralized. • A person is ready to disengage when they are aware of the short time remaining in their life and they no longer wish to fulfil their current social roles; and society allows for disengagement in order to provide jobs for those coming of age, to satisfy the social needs of a nuclear family, and because people die. • Once disengaged, remaining relationships shift, rewards of them may change, and hierarchies may also shift. • Disengagement occurs across all cultures, but is shaped by the culture in which it …show more content…

She stays active by playing bridge and volunteering at a soup kitchen. Her two adult children call regularly. Gradually, Connie's arthritis prevents her from being able to cook at the soup kitchen. Then, she falls in the shower and breaks her hip. Afterward, Connie's children arrange for a nurse to come by the house every day to help her. Now, Connie is housebound, and she loses contact with her bridge friends. As her health fails, she only has the energy to visit with family. By the time she dies, Connie's multiple social networks have been whittled down to a few individual relationships.” (Conger, 2014). This example shows the downfall of independence and role changes for Connie. She may have felt vulnerable that her children have to look after her and may have felt uncomfortable about the role changes. Connie could have felt isolated and alone since she couldn’t contact any of her friends and that her friendships were narrowed

Get Access