The disengagement theory of ageing states that "aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and others in the social system he belongs to".[1] The theory claims that it is natural and acceptable for older adults to withdraw from society.[2] There are multiple variations on disengagement theory, such as moral disengagement.[3][4]
Disengagement theory was formulated by Cumming and Henry in 1961 in the book Growing Old and was the first theory of aging that social scientists developed.[5] Thus, the theory has historical significance in gerontology. Since then, it has faced strong criticism since the theory was proposed as innate, universal, and unidirectional.[6]
The disengagement theory is one of three major psychosocial theories which describe how people develop in old age.[2] The other two major psychosocial theories are the activity theory and the continuity theory, and the disengagement theory comes to odds with both.
- ^ Elaine Cumming; William Earl Henry (1961). Growing Old. New York: Basic. p. 227.
- ^ a b Priscilla Ebersole (8 April 2005). Gerontological nursing and healthy aging. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-323-03165-3. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Bandura, Albert (December 23, 2015). Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm and Live with Themselves. Worth Publishers. ISBN 978-1464160059.
- ^ Heald, seth. "The Pope's Climate Message in the United States: Moral Arguments and Moral Disengagement". Environment (May–June 2016). Taylor & Francis. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ W. Andrew Achenbaum (1995). Crossing frontiers: gerontology emerges as a science. Cambridge University Press. pp. 107. ISBN 978-0-521-48194-6. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Vern L. Bengtson; Norella Putney (2009). Handbook of theories of aging. Springer Publishing Company. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-8261-6251-9. Retrieved 4 June 2011.