Part 1: The Human Environment
Written Assignment 1-Description of five people
- Roles
- Age relation to age
- Analysis applying role theory
Written Assignment 11- On Golden Pond
- Description of Norman’s environment
- Selection of Theory
- Application of theory to Norman’s Human Environment interaction
- Reasons for selecting theory
- Credibility of theory
Part 11: Age related changes – Anticipatory Socialization
Introduction
- Assessment of present adulthood career paterns
Assessment of financial needs
Description of leisure
Selection of retirement environment
Conclusion
- Anticipatory socialization plan
Abstract
This document embraces two areas of study. They are human environment and age related changes. First, assessment of five persons in their environmental settings would be analyzed then a reflection of Norman from the film On Golden Pond. Part 11 deals with an evaluation of the writers’ perception of aging.
Part 1: The Human Environment
Written Assignment 1: Description of five people
Roles
My two year old grandson functions as a toddler. He acts out the role of child within an extended family setting. Seldom he follows through with instructions and demands to be catered to. His mother takes pretty good care of him. She bathes, feeds, changes his diapers and takes him out for walks. Meanwhile, his grandmother acts as the substitute mother who participates in care when mother is away at work or school. She assists in disciplining him.
Robert, his dad supports him by through purchasing toys and playing those rough games he likes to play such as the owing balls and tossing himself around until he falls to the ground. Me, his grandfather, gentle supports the father role when dad, Robert, has to work or at school. The rough playing for that period may be transformed to some gentle sport, which would not take me sprinting around the house.
Age relation to age
Age grading has greatly influenced these roles. The distinct roles being acted out in the above scenario are related to toddler, young adult male and female, older adult male and female. There are definite gender distinctions as well. However, the dominant factor is age in relation to these roles. A toddler‘s function definitely is within that 1-3 age group; young adults who can reproduce their species successfully are between 17- 30 years old. Grandparents are older adults between ages 35 and over who are more seasoned in parenting skills to control a very active toddler.
Analysis applying role theory
According to assumptions embed in role theory there are certain expectations of how people ought to behave as members of a social structure. Even though a toddler’s super ego and ego is not fully developed to understand social norms he/she is expected to confirm. In this case the toddler ought to be disciplined and follow instructions. When the toddler does not confirm it is considered ill-mannered because social values and role expectation demands that the child be sedate irrespective of the psychological state of being (Hooyman and Kiyak, 2005).
This theory likens roles to characters acting out parts as in a movie with a script that is written jointly by society and the person who takes on the role. In the role definitions highlighted earlier the toddler unconsciously plays these acts, which have been inflicted by the adults in his environment. Really, he does not consciously subscribe to the script written by society. However, through his parents and grandparents following that script he becomes part of the play. Therefore, it is obvious that pressure is placed on people to conform to expectations as part of the process of socialization. This socialization has nothing to do with personal values; rather they are enforced by society for one to either keep in the game or on stage (Hooyman and Kiyak, 2005).
Written Assignment 11:- On Golden Pond
Description of Norman’s environment
According to the cast Norman’s human environment consisted of Katharine Hepburn wife to Norman; Jane Fonda, Norman’s daughter; Dabney Coleman, Norman’s son-in law; Doug McKeon, Norman step-grandson; William Lanteau, the mailman and Chris Rydell. These characters in his human environment forged the demonstration of human conditions such as an intelligence that did not decline with age even though he had a cardiac condition; personality which became sharper with time and memory, which not fade with his age. He did not have a any difficulty learning new things. Motivation to be active in his world did not decrease and care of himself was not in any way challenged with age (Study Notes, 2012
Selection
Disengagement theory was designed by Cumming and Henry in 1961 related in their work Growing Old. It has been recognized as the first aging theory in the social sciences. Therefore, it is of great historical significance in gerontology (Cumming & Henry, 1961). This theory contains assumptions, which can be applied to Norman’s story. It suggests that ‘the elderly who do become detached from society are those who were initially reclusive individuals, and such disengagement is not purely a response to ageing’ (Stuart-Hamilton, 2006).
Application of theory to Norman’s Human Environment Interaction
Hence, Norman’s unusual attitudes and grumpy behaviors can be determined unrelated to his age, but simply due to his retirement and detachment from society. Further, assumptions are that aging is an inevitable. It is natural to withdraw or disengage from society. Katharine Hepburn wife to Norman; Jane Fonda, Norman’s daughter; Dabney Coleman, Norman’s son-in law; Doug McKeon, Norman step-grandson; William Lanteau, the mailman and Chris Rydell formed Norman’ s human environment. It is the contention then that aging people like Norman tend to decreased interaction with their social world (Cumming & Henry, 1961).
Norman appeared to have aged based on this theoretical assumption when a heart condition emerges. This may or may not be directly related to disengagement. However, further arguments are that anyone at any age could develop heart conditions. Children are born with congenital heart disease. Is this inevitable aging or a mere biological abnormality? Interactions with his wife sustain the desire for friendship, intimacy and love, which has nothing to do with removal from the social structure. There is an estranged relationship between him and his daughter, which transcends age. However, as he celebrates his 80th birthday and a marriage follows there is some reconciliation with a promise to enhance the relationships between them as well as newlywed son-in law.
Sharp words show that there has been no alterations to vocabulary since he can articulate expressions when the desire to become sarcastic and obnoxious surfaces. Here, this can in some way be related to disengagement since he cannot project this aspect of the personality on co-workers and subordinates any longer in that social environment. It is then turned towards his daughter, her boyfriend and his son. The mailman to some extent receives a small portion of this disengagement tactics.
Precisely, the disengagement process according to Cumming and Henry (1961) embraces nine postulates. They include disengagement becoming a circular or self-perpetuating process; disengagement differs between men and women; the individual's life is punctuated by ego changes; disjunction is usually disengagement; a man's central role is work, and woman's is marriage and family; readiness for disengagement affects the outcome; fewer interactions and disengagement from central roles lead to the relationships in the remaining roles to change and disengagement theory is independent of culture, but the form it takes is bound by culture (Cumming & Henry, 1961).
Reasons for selecting theory
Reasons for selecting disengagement theory to explain Norman’s plight in the play On Golden Pond related to the nine postulates. It becomes a circular or self-perpetuating process. In Norman’s case he has been deemed old. As such, he must play the role of an old man, which detaches him from functioning as a younger person. The more he thinks on this fallacy the impression on consciousness becomes evident such getting lost in the woods because memory of the elderly is poor.
Disengagement differs between men and women. Even though his wife was costarring in this film the film writer did not magnify the again process in her as was done in Norman which suggest a difference between a man and woman in this regard. The individual's life is punctuated by ego changes. Norman’s ego changes were directed towards engaging Billy in fishing, insisting that he goes to his room and read Treasure Island, which a translation from work control tactics and parenting interventions.
Disjunction is usually disengagement; a man's central role is work, and woman's is marriage and family. In my opinion it should read dysfunction is disengagement because actually disengagement creates dysfunction as it relates to roles. There was no record of Norman being grumpy as a younger person. With no job and child to express parenting and management egos he develops and heart condition subsequently becoming sarcastic.
Readiness for disengagement affects the outcome. It would appear that Norman might have been ready for retirement since many men function adequately in their jobs way into their eighties. Politicians have proven this truth. As such, fewer interactions and disengagement from central roles led to the relationships in the remaining roles to change. He reconciles with his daughter with whom there was an estranged relationship for years.
Disengagement theory is independent of culture, but the form it takes is bound by culture. The fact that disengagement has very little to do with culture, but is culture based makes Norman’s task of adjusting to the dysfunction society imposed upon his life through the ascription ‘elderly’ more difficulty to undertake. Hence, the heart condition could be a superimposed adaptation to age instead of an aging process in itself.
Credibility of theory
A critique of this theory is considered in analyzing Norman’s contribution to society after retirement. It can be argued that society itself within the concept of structured inequalities forces the elderly as others classified ‘minority groups’ out of social structure participation. Retirement is the strategy used to eliminate people 65 and over from society through labeling as ‘older’ or ‘elderly.’ This impact on their life, as they remain active forges psychological aging when biologically they are still capable (Cumming & Henry, 1961).
Norman demonstrated that aging changes were not inevitable for him. These were implicit in his relationship with Billy as they became buddies in the fishing partnership. He was still able to impart discipline as well as build friendship with people away from his generation. It could be further posited that the elderly after retirement age from disengagement, but disengagement when posited as aging being inevitable cannot be sustained psychologically. Rather this could be true biologically
References
Cumming, E., & Henry (1961). Growing Old. New York. Basic
Hooyman, N., & Asuman Kiyak, H (2005). Exam Copy for Social Gerontology: A
Multidisciplinary Perspective, 9/E. Pearson
Stuart-Hamilton, Ian (2006). The Psychology of Ageing: An Introduction. London: Jessica
Kingsley Publishers.
Study Notes (2013). Biological and Psychological Changes. Unit 3. Lesson 3.2
Part 11: Age related changes – Anticipatory Socialization
Introduction
Assessment of present adulthood career pattern
Donald Super (1981) posits that people’s career behavior patterns fall into four distinct categories. They are classified as stable, conventional, unstable and multiple trial patterns. In a stabled pattern the individual is relatively satisfied with his/her career choices and can linger there until retirement. Conventional means that while there is job satisfaction the person is open to changes once something better appears in the horizon (Contributions of Donald E. Supper, 2012).
Unstable is just what it means. There seems to be very little motivation for work and the tendency is to change occupations ad lib. In the multiple trial patterns the person is searching to find the career of his/her heart since at the time nothing seems to be attractive. These manifest as short episodes of employment (Contributions of Donald E. Supper, 2012). An assessment of my career pattern based on Super’s (1981) typology indicates that it is stabled. My career path offers job satisfaction; retirement plans are superb; there is adequate health insurance coverage and the organization promotes career development.
Super (1963) makes further vocational assumptions emerging from life cycle changes to advance that there is growth, exploration, establishment, maintenance and decline (Contributions of Donald E. Supper, 2012). Alternative schools of thought classify these phases as implementation, establishment; maintenance; deceleration and retirement. In linking these prepositions with career patterns it would be recognized that I am in the maintenance stage. Obviously, the very next phase is deceleration/decline/retirement, which is anticipated to be within the next 20 or more years.
Assessment of financial needs
Anticipated income ought to be between $3- 4,000 per month combined. These would take care of mortgage payments, car maintenance, property taxes; income taxes; support of minor children, if they are still any, and vacation expenditure. This income is expected to be accrued from social security benefits, which ought to be no less than $1,500; retirement package of about $1,500 and part time employment which could bring another income of $1,500.
Description of leisure
Leisure had different meanings to people globally. It is culturally interpreted based on a given context. Essentially, however, it can be viewed from the premise of free time, relief from forced activity and relaxation from tension. Free time encompasses vacation such as time spent on a cruise; excursion and maybe in church at a revival meeting. Relief from forced activity can be seen as vacation from work. Then one has to define work within their context. This could goes beyond a job towards completing household chores; compulsory therapy or workout at the gym. Relaxation from tension could be conceived as a walk in the park or converging on a beach viewing the rustling waves, enjoying nature.
For me leisure activities embody going to church; participating in the choir; contributing solos every now and then and attending payer meeting to relief some tension from work and busy daily routine. Siting on the beach enjoying white sands, blue waters, below a mixture of white light blue skies; reminiscing about a beautiful world as the sky meets the sea, which is really a fallacy is not just a favorite past time, but what I consider leisure.
Analysts have posited that leisure activities can be whatever one perceives them to be. They can contain a wide range of disciplines in varying areas of interest. These could be consistent within one’s cultural, social or solitary life paradigms (Study notes, 2012). When I visit the beach, walk through parks, go on boat cruises they reflect my desire for solitude as being my concept of leisure and not so much the time aspect of it. Engaging in church activities are part of my social and cultural dispensation of leisure. Some churches try to utilize the skills one has on their job at church. As such, going to church becomes a job in itself. My interpretation of that is attending church is my leisure time. When I arrive there it must be to pray; sing in the choir or sit in the pew and enjoy a sermon.
It all relates to the choices one makes in life. People; choose activities that provide them leisure. Besides the ones mentioned earlier I find great leisure playing my key board conducting my own concert as I sing along to the tunes I play. ‘We choose by virtue of how well we think we can do them and our level of psychological comfort with the activity’ (Study Notes, 2012). The beauty derived from leisure is when an individual feels physically capable to conduct a leisure activity. More importantly, when the financial resources are available to enact the desired leisure activity it becomes a real pleasure. I do not see these activities changing with age except if illnesses impact my body. It is my belief that illness does not have anything to do with age. It can appear at any time during one’s life span.
Selection of retirement environment
It is not my desire to retire and live in a retirement community. Oh! No! The same way as how Norman enjoyed his country house ‘On Golden Pond’ this is how I would like to spend my retirement. There must be times when I can repair to city life where I would have had established property, but still have a hideout country farmland in a secluded territory for reminiscing on nature. Truthfully, in my consciousness there is no place where older people ought to be away from society once they are healthy. I would like to be among family, wife, children, grandchildren great grandchildren and great; great grandchildren.
Conclusion
Anticipatory socialization plan
Anticipatory socialization is a concept first adapted by Robert K. Merton (1949), an American sociologist who conducted studies in 1949 among United States military. It was revealed that privates who ‘modeled their attitudes and behaviors on those of officers were more likely to be promoted than those who didn’t’ (Lane, 2008). Assumptions of this model are that it facilitates transition from one group to the next.
In this case it is transition from the world of work to the world of retirement. In my plan there is no retirement but simply change of occupation. As such, the idea of being self-employed has always fascinated me. Therefore, my anticipatory socialization plan would embody training to manage my own business and training my generation to continue the trend in ensuing years. It entails establishing long term care facilities across the country in as many states where permission is obtained to establish these dwellings form people who cannot remain in their homes alone and those who have health challenges that require long term care.
For me, I would have to undergo training now in preparation of establishing this enterprise. At this same time education my sons, daughters, grandchildren toward owning and managing a family business would be a major aspect of this anticipatory socialization plan. All of them may not be business oriented, but they could contribute skills such as administration, medicine, hospitality, property management and other identifiable as the project unfolds.
References
Contributions of Donald E. Supper (2012). Retrieved on 6th February, 2013 from
http://faculty.tamu-commerce.edu/crrobinson/512/super.htm
Lane, Shannon Rae (2008). Electing the right people: A survey of elected social workers and candidates. University of Connecticut.
