The Social Theories of Ageing (PDF)

Essay from the year 2014 in the subject Sociology - Age and Aging, grade: 5.0, University of Michigan, language: English, abstract: Ageing is a constant process that every individual goes through as long as there is still life. This process is an essential part of nature, as it ensures that the homeostasis of the universe is kept constant. Ageing has to do with the additive effects of changes that occur over time, and in human beings, refers to the multidimensional progression of biological, psychological and social changes that occur. In humans, ageing has its advantages and disadvantages which reflect the growth and expansion of some dimensions of human life, while on the other hand, others decline. The inevitability of ageing has driven a whole lot of researches into finding out how and why ageing occurs. This is why there has been several theories developed to help understand the phenomenon of ageing.

The social theories of ageing offer a much different perspective as regards the inevitable process of ageing, its meanings, and its impact on the ageing individuals themselves and the general society. Even though there are existing controversies about the accuracy of these theories, the response of the society to the care and support of the elderly is still being governed by some of the characteristics and factors described by the theoretical assumptions.