Social Disengagement Theory Unit 4
Social Disengagement Theory
This theory was created and discovered in 1961 by two theorist called Cumming and Henry. Disengagement theory is when an older adult isolates themselves from the society; this is a process of mutual withdrawal. This is when elders slow down and aren’t able to do the things they were once able to do for example this may include golf, bowling, bingo, visiting friends and family and many other hobbies, this also may include voluntarily retiring as expected by society. They may disengage from their previous social roles as they realize that they will die in the future also they may disengage from social involvement as they have restricted opportunity’s as they get older.
Reasons why elders may be restricted from social involvement;
Ill-health- Some elders may have poor mobility or problems that may include hearing problems or problems with vision; this may make interaction with other people challenging.
Geographical mobility- Many elders may retire to places that are far away from their friend or relatives. This could be due to younger people moving away from older people because they seek better housing or employment.
Retirement- When an elderly person retires from work this may lead them to lose contact with colleagues in a social setting and in some cases those might be their only friend. In this situation, it may cause them to lose contact with the outside world.
Ill- health of friends and family- If friends or family members have any illnesses or perhaps disability’s that may cause them to have poor mobility; this may mean they will lose contact with a certain individual as it hard for them to get to places they want to go.
Travel and technology- in some cases it may be difficult for an elderly to go places they desire as they do not have access to a car, internet or they may not have access to a mobile phone or in some cases they may have a mobile phone however they may find it problematic to use. For example if an elderly wants to
This theory was created and discovered in 1961 by two theorist called Cumming and Henry. Disengagement theory is when an older adult isolates themselves from the society; this is a process of mutual withdrawal. This is when elders slow down and aren’t able to do the things they were once able to do for example this may include golf, bowling, bingo, visiting friends and family and many other hobbies, this also may include voluntarily retiring as expected by society. They may disengage from their previous social roles as they realize that they will die in the future also they may disengage from social involvement as they have restricted opportunity’s as they get older.
Reasons why elders may be restricted from social involvement;
Ill-health- Some elders may have poor mobility or problems that may include hearing problems or problems with vision; this may make interaction with other people challenging.
Geographical mobility- Many elders may retire to places that are far away from their friend or relatives. This could be due to younger people moving away from older people because they seek better housing or employment.
Retirement- When an elderly person retires from work this may lead them to lose contact with colleagues in a social setting and in some cases those might be their only friend. In this situation, it may cause them to lose contact with the outside world.
Ill- health of friends and family- If friends or family members have any illnesses or perhaps disability’s that may cause them to have poor mobility; this may mean they will lose contact with a certain individual as it hard for them to get to places they want to go.
Travel and technology- in some cases it may be difficult for an elderly to go places they desire as they do not have access to a car, internet or they may not have access to a mobile phone or in some cases they may have a mobile phone however they may find it problematic to use. For example if an elderly wants to