Later Life: The Realities of Aging

by Cox, Harold G.

• ISBN13: 9780131951587
• ISBN10: 0131951580
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

For anyone interest in Sociology of Aging or Gerontology taught primarily in departments of sociology. An interdisciplinary introduction to the aging process which uses symbolic interactionism as the main theoretical perspective. Accessible, interdisciplinary coverage with chapters covering a variety of subject matter areas from biology to psychology, from economics to sociology, from political science to religion. Utilizes symbolic interaction perspective to explain behavior problems and an individual's adaptations associated with the process of aging.

Author Biography

Harold G. Cox is a professor of sociology at the University of Indiana, USA

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
PART I: Introduction
Emergence and Scope of Gerontology	1	(21)
The Advent of Gerontology	1	(2)
Demographic Trends	3	(19)
Conclusion	17	(1)
Key Terms	18	(1)
Notes	19	(1)
References	19	(3)
Problems, Public Perception, and Stereotypes of Older Americans	22	(16)
The Problems of Aging	22	(5)
Public Perceptions of Older Persons	27	(4)
Misconceptions	31	(7)
Conclusion	34	(1)
Key Terms	35	(1)
Notes	35	(1)
References	36	(2)
Theoretical Perspectives on Aging	38	(29)
Theory and Research	38	(3)
Disengagement Theory	41	(3)
Activity Theory	44	(2)
Human Development Theories	46	(4)
Continuity Theory	50	(2)
Age Stratification Theory	52	(1)
Older Americans as a Minority Group	53	(1)
Aging as an Exchange	54	(3)
The Symbolic Interaction Perspective	57	(1)
Labeling Theory	58	(2)
Evaluating Theories of Aging	60	(7)
Conclusion	61	(1)
Key Terms	62	(1)
Notes	62	(1)
References	63	(4)
Historical and Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Aging	67	(26)
Introduction	67	(3)
Demographic Transition and the Aging of the World's Population	70	(3)
Modernization and Aging	73	(1)
Criticism of the Modernization Theory	74	(2)
Critical Variables Determining the Status of the Aged	76	(3)
Theoretical Views on the Changing Status of the Elderly	79	(2)
Roles and Status of the Aged in Three Cultures	81	(12)
Conclusion	89	(1)
Key Terms	90	(1)
Notes	90	(1)
References	90	(3)
PART II: The Individual and the Social System
Biological and Health Correlates of Aging	93	(34)
Introduction	93	(4)
Age-Related Changes in Human Physiology	97	(1)
Major Causes of Illness and Death in Old Age	98	(4)
Biological Theories of Aging	102	(5)
Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Illness	107	(6)
Holistic Health Care	113	(2)
Exercise and Aging	115	(12)
Conclusion	118	(5)
Key Terms	123	(1)
Notes	123	(1)
References	124	(3)
Psychological Changes in Later Life	127	(28)
Introduction	127	(1)
Psychological and Performance Changes	128	(4)
Personality	132	(2)
Stability and Change in Personality	134	(4)
Self-Esteem	138	(2)
Adjustment to Aging	140	(2)
Stress	142	(13)
Conclusion	149	(1)
Key Terms	150	(1)
Notes	150	(1)
References	151	(4)
Age Norms, Age Constraints, and Adult Socialization	155	(20)
Life Space	157	(1)
Role	158	(3)
Age Synchronization	161	(3)
Normative Constraints	164	(1)
Attitudes toward Old Age	165	(1)
Social Class and Adjustment to Old Age	166	(2)
Age, Gender, and Longevity	168	(7)
Conclusion	171	(1)
Key Terms	172	(1)
Notes	172	(1)
References	173	(2)
Aging Minority Group Members	175	(23)
Demographic Characteristics	177	(9)
Social Aspects of Aging	186	(1)
Service Needs	187	(1)
Subcultural and Value Disparities between the Dominant Group and Minority Groups	188	(2)
The Asian American	190	(2)
Native Americans	192	(6)
Conclusion	193	(1)
Key Terms	194	(1)
Notes	195	(1)
References	196	(2)
PART III: Adjustment Patterns and Changing Lifestyles in Old Age
Family Patterns in Later Life	198	(30)
Marital Status of Older Americans	199	(1)
Changing Roles and the Aging Family	200	(1)
Husband-Wife Relations	201	(8)
Intergenerational Relations	209	(2)
Grandparenthood	211	(3)
Widowhood	214	(3)
Alternative Lifestyles	217	(2)
Second Marriages	219	(9)
Conclusion	221	(2)
Key Terms	223	(1)
Notes	223	(1)
References	223	(5)
Work, Leisure, and Retirement Patterns	228	(25)
Introduction	228	(1)
Work	229	(5)
Free Time	234	(1)
Leisure	235	(4)
Retirement	239	(14)
Conclusion	248	(1)
Key Terms	249	(1)
Notes	249	(1)
References	250	(3)
Living Environments in Later Life	253	(27)
Residential Segregation of the Aged	255	(5)
Design and Environmental Factors in Senior Housing	260	(3)
Housing and Community Choices of Older Americans	263	(3)
Housing Costs	266	(2)
Sociability	268	(1)
Institutionalization	269	(3)
The Eden Alternative	272	(8)
Conclusion	273	(2)
Key Terms	275	(1)
Notes	275	(1)
References	276	(4)
Death and Dying	280	(25)
The Impact of Death on Society	281	(4)
Attitudes toward Death	285	(2)
The Meaning of Death	287	(2)
Critical Questions about Death	289	(10)
Grief	299	(6)
Conclusion	301	(1)
Key Terms	301	(1)
Notes	301	(1)
References	302	(3)
PART IV: Societal Issues Confronting Older Americans
The Economics of Aging	305	(16)
Economic Needs of Older Americans	305	(1)
Income	306	(3)
Poverty	309	(7)
Effects of Inflation	316	(5)
Conclusion	318	(1)
Key Terms	319	(1)
Notes	319	(1)
References	319	(2)
Exploitation of the Aged: Crimes, Confidence Games, and Frauds	321	(16)
Fear of Crime	321	(1)
Victimization by Crime	322	(4)
The Older Person's Response to Victimization	326	(1)
Confidence Games and Frauds	327	(3)
Abuse of the Elderly	330	(7)
Conclusion	332	(2)
Key Terms	334	(1)
Notes	334	(1)
References	335	(2)
Politics of Aging	337	(15)
Political Participation	338	(6)
Intergenerational Conflict or Consensus	344	(3)
Status Inconsistency	347	(1)
Age and Political Conservatism	348	(4)
Conclusion	348	(1)
Key Terms	349	(1)
Notes	350	(1)
References	350	(2)
Social Services for Older Americans	352	(21)
Social Services for Older Americans	352	(15)
Future Directions of Service Programs for the Aged	367	(6)
Conclusion	370	(1)
Key Terms	371	(1)
Notes	372	(1)
References	372	(1)
Religion and Aging	373	(17)
Introduction	373	(1)
Church Attendance	374	(2)
Belief in God	376	(1)
Belief in Immortality	377	(1)
Orthodox Religion	378	(1)
Religious Ritualism and Private Devotionalism	379	(2)
Religiosity and Life Satisfaction	381	(2)
The Role of the Aged in the Church	383	(7)
Conclusion	384	(2)
Key Terms	386	(1)
Notes	386	(1)
References	387	(3)
Aging and the Aged: Future Prospects and Issues	390	(15)
Gerontology: The Future of the Discipline	391	(1)
Theories of Aging	392	(2)
Health	394	(1)
Retirement Income	395	(2)
Family	397	(2)
Residential Location	399	(1)
Postindustrial Society	399	(1)
Values	400	(1)
Work and Leisure	401	(1)
Power	401	(1)
Death	402	(1)
Government Services	403	(2)
Conclusion	403	(1)
Key Terms	403	(1)
Notes	404	(1)
References	404	(1)
Index	405