Unit 4 Task 3
Disengagement Theory
Cumming and Henry (1961) * Withdrawal from social contact with others. * Natural part of ageing * Reduced physical health and loss of social opportunities means they don’t engage in activities
Discredited by Zimbardo (1992) * Many people stay active * Socialise with remaining friends, not make new ones * Still involved with family

Activity Theory
Robert J Havighurst (1961) * Older people stay mentally and socially active to avoid disengagement * Physical activity (eg. Walking, gardening, yoga) * Mental activity (eg. Crosswords, studying courses, puzzles)
Bromley (1966)

The process of ageing is a process that everybody experience in their life. The process begins from the day you are born but becomes more prominent when you’re older. When you are younger, ageing may enable you to do more things and become more able. However, as you become older, ageing may stop you doing certain things and things like your memory and ability may deteriorate rapidly.
There are two main theories of ageing and one of these is the Disengagement theory. Social scientists, Elaine Cumming and William Henry developed this theory in 1961 in their book called ‘Growing Old’ (Conger). They believed that as people grow older, they disengage from their previous social system and roles that they may have filled in previous years.
Cumming and Henry wrote about how older people withdrawing themselves from society was beneficial for both the person themselves and for society. The advantages for the person included: * Decreasing the amount of stress coming from social responsibilities or groups * Reducing the amount of people being disrupted or upset when they die * Eventual full disengagement leading to the individual being ‘free to die’ (Cumming and Henry, p227)
They also believed that society benefits