Theories on Aging 人类学老龄化理论

TheoriesonAgingDr.JessicaGishDepartmentofHealth,Aging&SocietyMcMasterUniversityWhatisSocialTheoryDescribeshowsocietyoperatesandwhatsocietyismadeofOffersexplanationsabouttherelationshipbetweenindividualpeopleandsocialstuffSocialTheoryasaWorldviewLevelsofTheoryTheoreticalPerspectiveInterpretiveFunctionalistConflictInterpretive:KeyAssumptionsSociety=interactionsbetweenindividualsandgroupsPeopleordertheworldCalledthesocialconstructionofrealityPeopleassignmeaningtothingsorsymbolsPeoplehaveagencyPeoplearecreativeactorswiththeabilitytointerpretorconstructmeaningInterpretive:AnalyticfocusHowpeopleacttowardanotherandmakesenseoftheirinteractionsinthesocialworldThemeaningsorvaluespeopleassigntotheirsocialworldsExample…Howsocialcontextshapesmeanings,interpretations,andactionsExample…Interpretive:Strengths&WeaknessesStrengthsFocusontheindividualConsiderationofagencyAttentiontosocialcontextAnalysisofthedifferentmeaningsassignedtoagingandagingexperiencesWeaknessesLittlefocusonsocialstructure,power,andconflictFunctionalist:KeyAssumptionsSocialsystemstheoryInstitutionsworkinterdependentlySocietyislikeanorganismInstitutionshavefunctionsPeoplefulfillrolesandobligationsbecauseofsharednormsandvaluesDisengagementTheoryFromCumming&Henry(1961)MutualwithdrawalofindividualandsocietytorestorebalancetothesystemDisengagementisanevolutionaryuniversalandbeneficialforindividualsandsocietyTotaldisengagement=deathDisengagementTheory:WeaknessesNotbeensupportedempiricallyJustifiespoliciesofmandatoryretirementIgnoresthatdifferenttypesofdisengagementexistandthatdisengagementhasdifferentmeaningsforindividualsActivityTheoryEngagementinactivityfacilitatesadjustmenttoagingAssumesthatanyactivitywilldoActivityTheory:WeaknessesItisnotclearwhatconstitutes“activity”Ignoresthatpeople’sactivitiesandinterestschangeovertimeDoesnotconsiderthedifferentmeaningsthatpeopleattributetoactivityIgnoressocioeconomicstatus(toomicro)ContinuityTheoryAdjustmenttoaginginvolvesmaintainingaconsistentsenseofselfwiththepastandcontinuitywithactivitiesandvaluesfrommid-lifeContinuityTheory:WeaknessesDoesnotconsidersocialstructuralconstraintssuchassocioeconomicstatus(toomicro)People’slivesunfoldinwaysthatmakecontinuationofdesiredrolesandactivitiesdifficult(toosimplistic)AgeStratificationTheoryModernsocietyranksorstratifiesindividualsaccordingtoageAgegradingGroupsofindividualsbornataparticularperiodoftime(cohort)growoldtogetheralongwithsocietyPeople’sliveschangeinrelationtochangingsocialstructuresIHateYoungPeopleIntergenerationalorcohortconflictarisesbecausecohortsinterpreteventsthroughthelensoftheirownparticularsocialandhistoricalexperiences(cohort-centrism)ConflictTheory:KeyAssumptionsSocietyiscomposedofdifferentgroupswithdifferentvaluesGroupsareengagedinacontinuouspowerstruggleoverscarceresourcesInequalityexistsinsocietyOriginsliewithKarlMarxBourgeoisieProletariatPoliticalEconomyTheoryOlderpeoplelackpowerasasocialgroupFocusisonmacrosocialstructuresEvaluateshowsocialpoliciesprotectorconstrainolderpeoplePoliticalEconomy:Strengths&WeaknessesStrengths:Focusonpoliticalandeconomicfactors(verymacro)Weaknesses:Doesnotconsiderindividualagency(notverymicro)FeminismExplainswomen’soppressionandchallengespatriarchyArguesgenderrolesaresociallycreated(notbiological)IdentifiesthesocialinequalitiesthatwomenexperienceLooksathowgenderintersectswithotherinequalities(gender*class/ethnicity/age)Isovertlypolitical/desiressocialchangeLifeCourseTheory:KeyAssumptionsBridgingtheory(micro+macro)People’slivesaremadeupoforderedsequencesofevents(lifetrajectory)inrelationtokeydomainsoflife(i.e.,marriage,work,family)Withinthesedomainsoflife,peopleencounterlifetransitionsorchangesinsocialstatusandrolesLifeCourseTheory:AnalyticFocusIndividualtimeHistoricaltimeGlenElderJr.(1974):ChildrenoftheGreatDepressionandthetimingofentryintomilitaryserviceSocialtimeEmergingTheoriesNarrativegerontologyUsedtocounterthedeclinenarrativeofagingFocusis“inneraging”andpersonalmeaninginagingandlifePersonalMeaninginAgingItismeaningfultobealiveIsayeverydaynowwhenIwakeup,“Geewhiz.I’mstillalive.”Myheartisstillbeating…Youcan’tchangethepastandyoudon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappeninthefuture.Sothehereandthenowistheonlythingthat’simportant.PersonalMeaninginAgingItismeaningfultolearnButthereareinteresting,thelittlethings,Isaidearlieroccuronyourjourneyinlife.Somearegoodthingsandsomearenotgood.Youlearntocopewiththem…Life’stoodarninterestingandwehavesomanycommunicationsnow,meansofcommunicating,andsomanymeansofreceivinginformationabouttheworld.Andthere’ssomuchtolearn.I’vefallenbehindofcourse.Ican’tseewellenoughtoworkwiththecomputer,whichisunfortunate,butIsee.Thomas[hisbrother]alsomissedthis,thesebeautifulpicturesfromMarsthatarecominginrightnow.Ifindthatterriblyfascinating.There’ssomuchtolearn.Youcan’tlivelongenoughto,tolearnaboutallofit…I’mvery,evenwitholdageandallmyailments,Istillfeellikeit’sfar,iswellworththewhile.