Aging: Do Theories Reflect Realities
With age, different individuals generate different interests, depending on individuality. This is dependent on various factors such as gender, financial capabilities, and relationship status, among other minor factors (Bengtson, 2009). However, common with all people is the fact that age is a constant determining factor on the variation of interests. Common interests will therefore exist across all individuals in a certain age, regardless of gender, financial status, and relationship status. Various theories deduced in relation to this make it possible to relate the influence of age on the variation of interests.
On focus will therefore be the reflection of reality in the different theories, based on real life practices. In the modern society, different practices coincide with people’s interests, owing to the free will that exists in decision-making, with less interference from religious institutions (Bengtson, 2009). However, the current economic conditions bear a great impact on the availability of financial resources to achieve the best way people would like to enjoy life. Based on the factual information obtained from the interview of two individuals; men aged 21 and 34 respectively, it is derived that the definition of comfort in life implies different opinions. Interests and the best ways to spend one’s own time of leisure also differ, and the seriousness with which one takes life’s issues is no exceptional factor. In agreement with the continuity theory, successful aging results after engagement in one’s personal interests in the middle age, also observed in the later parts of life (Putney, 2009).
Openness was a vital factor that aided in the provision of only the factual information. The 21 year old participant was identified as participant A and the 34 year old identified as participant B. This is helpful in differentiating the individuals with all the factors to be focused on in this research in context. For this research to provide valid information on the effect of age on the change in personal behaviour socially and economically, these two individuals were interviewed, valid information provided, and assessed to provide the conclusive information that will be provided in this paper.
From the research carried out, it was identified that the first person, Participant A, derived pleasure from every opportunity that showed up. He had a sense of responsibility in the activities he carried out; but only for short term consequences. For instance, he could not spend more money that he could earn, and could only engage in the luxurious activities in chosen days of the week. This individual was not concerned with the life of any other individual, and had the notion that each had their role to play in ensuring that they had a good life. Fun was only describable as so with partying in the favorite joints.
This individual, being in college, had every opportunity to play his favourite game, baseball and he admitted to liking the time he spent in the pitch than in class. After a day in school, he would spend time with friends before checking in at home in the dark, where he would spend limited time with parents and siblings before sleeping. This individual did not find it much fun making long talks with family members, but enjoyed whatever time was comfortable with time spent in such activities as picnics. He loved his family, and would not stand the thought of anyone trying to harm any family member.
Focusing on future life, this individual was worried about matters that concern most societal members, such as marriage and health. He believed that the exercising activities he engaged in were sufficient to keep him fit for as long as he lived. He however believed that at a certain stage, he would have to quit drinking and smoking, and take only the healthy foods.
The second respondent in this interview, participant B, perceived matters that related with his present life differently. For him, a day needed to characterize success, many of which would typify a good life. Considering the fact that this individual had a stable job and family, he believed that scheduling part of his routine for recreation would cost his family, and result in overuse of financial resources. This individual gave much importance to his family, and would spend every little time out of work with his wife and two children. He believed that his fatherly roles went further than just providing to his family, but also protecting his family, ensuring that every difficult was tackled before it would grow into a problem.
In finding his partner, participant B had to engage a tough decision making, considering his interests in his late teenage and early twenties were that of a girl who was not problematic in nature. He admitted to have changed this way of thinking when finding a life partner four years before, when he decided on settling with a lady who was responsible and affectionate. He believed that this would benefit his children, resulting in a happy family life. He placed so much relevance in family, that he believed it was the greatest success in his entire life at that time.
Asked about what he could change given the chance, participant B was choosy on serious life matters and preferred a better paying job, although acknowledged to having loving his current job. He felt that the kind of indulgence he had with family was limited due to financial resources, especially in the ever fluctuating economy. He lived a stable, but only optimum lifestyle with his family and that is what he would improve, granted the chance.
He is much surprised with the change of interests as he grows older. In his earlier days, he preferred a rowdy lifestyle and would retrace incidents in which he was involved in bullying practices, especially in high school. Presently, he disliked violence and any other activities that resulted in sorrow in the society. He had, in fact contributed in funds for campaigns against violence in education institutions, something he could not have imagined of a decade before. Participant B was not afraid of growing older, but would like to grow older having achieved much more than he had in life.
Disengagement theory
The findings from these interviews had lots of supportive information to the various theories of aging. In regard to the disengagement theory, which claims that old age is a time to pull out of the society and focus inward, some factual information to prove this is available (Sigelman, 2008). Despite the fact that neither of the respondents was in old age, there was observable change in the interests of the elder individual in this interview. Participant B has lost interest in partying activities, which form part of participant A’s schedule. Moreover, participant B finds great relevance in involving his family members in all his decisions, contrary to participant A, who preferred to keep his family out of his life until in happy times. This reveals a more mature sense of responsibility with increased age. It is also expected that as the individuals grow older, it is more likely for them to place greater importance in activities that impacted their inner self, such as religion (Bengtson, 2009). In the reverse, social interactions would increasingly be diminished, and friendships would considerably be reduced (Sigelman, 2008). All this characterizes a change of interests in one’s life with age. This is fully in line with the disengagement.
Activity theory
This theory suggests contentment in life is more probable when people remain vastly active and engage in day after day activities (Sigelman, 2008). This theory is evidenced by participant A’s satisfaction with sporting activities, which makes him convinced he will always have a healthy lifestyle. It is with considerable relevance that activity theory impacts in the willingness of participant B to work extra as long as his family is happy. As long as the interviewees are in a position to engage in any kind of activities, they find it helpful in adding spice to their livelihoods. However, as old age limits one’s cognitive ability, it would happen according to participant B’s expectation; placing more importance to matters relating to oneself, which would make life less interesting. In line with activity theory, contentment with life is more likely when one engages in involving daily activities (Sigelman, 2008).
Continuity theory
Contentment theory has bears considerable relevance in determining the kind and scale with which one enjoys life. The findings in this theory support the fact that successful aging is more likely for those that engage in habits, preferences, relationships and lifestyles, put up during midlife into the elderly years (Sigelman, 2008). This theory is applicable in the lives of the respondents of this interview. Lack of freedom is evident in the life of participant A, who finds it hard to relate with family members. This is due to the fact that his personal interests are more skewed towards short term happiness, which can only be derived with friends. If this is continued throughout the life of this individual, a negative impact in contentment with life would be resultant, and would result in unsuccessful aging.
Participant B, however, feels satisfied with the kind of life activities he engages in. He earns for his family and would spend the last coin to be happy with his family. Considering the fact that this individual has a stable relationship, lifestyle and lives to his preferences, he is likely to experience a successful aging process (Sigelman, 2008).
Conclusion
Aging results in a considerable variation in one’s personal interests. This is observable from the findings of this research. However, coinciding with the accounts of the aging theories, maturity in behaviour is characteristic of old age. Moreover, engaging one’s life results in an interesting lifestyle and this translates in successful aging. It is also conclusive that fulfilment in life starts with the maintenance of a contented middle age kind of life routine.
References
Sigelman, C. & Rider, E. (2008). Life-Span Human Development. New York: Cengage Learning
Bengtson, L. & Putney, N. (2009). Handbook of theories of aging. London: Springer Publishing Company
