The second and last theory I am going to discuss is the activity theory. The activity theory was developed in 1953 by the theorists called Robert J. Havighurst. Havighurst believed that continuing activities from middle age up until the last days of life will promote good health and well-being for individuals through ageing. The four main key ideas of Havighurst were as follows; it is another theory that describes the psychosocial ageing process. Activity theory highlights the importance of ongoing social activity and how it improves the individual’s health and well-being. This theory suggests that a person's self-concept is related to the roles held by that person i.e. retiring may not be so harmful if the person actively maintains other roles, such as familial roles, recreational roles, volunteer & community roles. To maintain a positive sense of self the person must take the new roles for those that are lost because of age and research shows that the type of activity does matter, just as it does with younger people. One of the outcomes of this theory is that the older adults who believe this theory will be able to get involved in a variety of activities that will improve their role and relationships and help them gain more roles and relationships are more likely to age with a high self-esteem and a sense of satisfaction. This theory is the complete opposite to the disengagement theory. Successful aging equals active aging. Activity can be physical or intellectual in nature. To maintain a positive self-image, the older person must develop new interests, hobbies, roles, and relationships to replace those that are diminished or lost in late life. This theory wishes that an older person should continue a middle-aged lifestyle and not having to worry about the denial they might face of limits just because of their age. Likewise, society should avoid the injustice of ageism by applying the same norms to old age as it does to middle age. Society should not demand preventing involvement of its older adults. Activity is preferable to inactivity because it improves well-being on multiple levels. Because of improved general health and prosperity in the older population, remaining active is more feasible now than when this theory was first proposed by Havighurst nearly six decades ago. The activity theory is applicable for a stable, post-industrial society, which offers its older members many opportunities for meaningful participation. Activity theory consists of the things that older adults do and the roles that they fill in life. According to activity theory people give up many roles as they age for example they retire from work, become widows or widowers or even drop out of their professional careers. These changes will then challenge the ideas that individuals hold about themselves. This may create a reduced sense of identity. For this reason people need to, and most actually do, engage in activities that develop substitute roles for those that have been abandoned. Hence, activities in late life are essential to restore one's self confidence and esteem and increase the sense of well-being. The activity theory has the following assumptions regarding this subject that are; there is an abrupt beginning of old age. The process of ageing leaves people alone. People should be encouraged to remain active and develop their own-age friends. Standards and expectations of middle age should be projected to older age. Ageing individuals should be encouraged to expand and be involved within the society and family life.
There are many similarities and differences between the disengagement and activity theory. One of the differences between these two theories is that disengagement is against the health and well-being of older adults because this theory does not agree with older adults being associated with the society nor taking part in any kind of activities. But the activity theory is concerned about the health and well-being of older adults and encourages them to continue to live their life for example continuing their professional careers, able to participate in hobbies and interests and socialising with their family and friends. The activity theory takes into account every individual needs and feelings and tries to support them, whereas the disengagement theory does not take anything into consideration and just states everything that is against what the activity theorist believes. One way that both theories are similar is the fact that they are both concerned about how and why the older generation will fit into the society and how will they participate in the environment. The both theories are only concerned about the older generation and how their lifestyle will influence and help the society. Another point that is similar in both of the theories is that they both suggest ‘retirement’ and how it will affect them according to their health and well-being and whether they have a positive or a negative outcome for the individual. Relating to the disengagement theory, it discusses retirement in a negative way because these theorists believe that there is no need to continue their professional careers because they need young or middle aged individuals who are capable in doing most of the jobs and this theory also believes that the older adults are not capable of doing any kind of job. In contrast, the activity theory believes that if the individual wants to carry on with their professional career they can but if they want to retire it is completely the individual’s choice. This theory encourages the older adults to stay in some sort of work whether it is voluntary or paid just to improve their health and well-being. This will mean that the individuals will gain a good self esteem and have high self-confidence.
The most obvious difference of these two theories is that the disengagement theory was introduced by two scientist called Elaine Cumming and William Henry that wrote the book according to their lifestyle and what they experienced. Therefore, the activity theory was introduced after that book was published to highlight the negatives and encourage older adults to live their life accordingly. The activity theory was not introduced according to some individual’s lifestyle but it was introduced because of getting the right point across rather than the negatives.
Now, I am going to talk about three examples of older people’s behaviour so I will be able to compare the disengagement and activity theory in a practical context. For example, if an individual made redundant and was willing to find another job, they went to apply for a job that involves cleaning the setting. But the employer did not want to employ that particular individual because they were in their late 50’s and were not capable of doing the job properly. This means that the employer has just discriminated against that individual and does not take their needs into consideration. This employer has done half of what is says in the disengagement theory. According to the disengagement theory, they believe that older adults were not capable of doing any job and should not be given the chance to participate in the society because of their incapability. The second example of the disengagement theory is when an individual does not want to engage with anyone or participate in some of job because of their age. Some individuals do not want to go out and socialise like they did when they were younger because they think it a complete waste of time. That particular individual will want to stay at home alone not willing to interact with anyone or anything. This is an example of disengagement theory because that individual thinks that they are not capable of doing anything so they just isolate themselves from everyone else and the society.
The last example of the disengagement theory is that, an individual might have been tortured by a group of teenagers when he used to go out and do shopping. Ever since he had got beaten up a few times from the teenagers demanding money from him, he has isolated himself from the outside world. That individual is not willing to step out the door because he is scared of getting tortured again. Due to him being 62 years old, he is not strong enough to take the pain or fight back. Ever since then, he has been living inside his house with his granddaughter that is out most of the time. All he does is sleep, eat and take a bath once in a while. This is a good example of this theory because it shows that due to getting beaten up from a group of teenagers, the man is frightened of even going down the road because of having the fear of getting beaten up again. Due to them several incidents, he has closed himself from the rest of the world, not willing to take part in any kind of social activities even with family. The first activity theory example that I am going to talk about a lady called Mary aged 57years old that has been made redundant from her service advisor job during the recession time and this has had a positive effect on her. This is because she has been participating in a lot of voluntary services and therefore she has been made the manager of a firm that deals with mobile phones. Although, the loves her job as a sales advisor, she did not give up when she was made redundant and tried every day to get a job. The voluntary work that she participated in helped her a lot when getting the manager’s role. Mary is an example of a woman that loves working, loves socialising and meeting new people and most of all she likes to work for the society that she belongs in. When she was made redundant, the government gave her an allowance weekly but then she thought of repaying the government for helping her out when she was wiped out from money and her job and likes helping the environment and the society.
There is a couple that are in there late 60’s and live in a house that they own. Every day, during the morning after making breakfast for Aston, Emily goes walking with her friends from around the area and some friends that she made at hospital and has breakfast with them. From about 4 o clock, Aston tends to go to the people’s club that consists of old and ill people, to play bingo, cards and take part in many other social activities. This couple gives each other time, to themselves to go out and socialise with their own group of friends and have fun. This is an example from the activity theory because it states that older adult should be able to take part in many social activities and able to go out and do what they want. This couple are doing exactly what the activity theory discusses that improves their health and well-being.
The last example I am going to discuss relating back the activity theory. A retired individual that lives on his own and love going out and meeting new people. Just down the road from where he lives, there is a children’s club and weekly he goes and takes part in it by helping and supporting the teenagers and young adults that have some kind of problem with their life such as drugs or alcohol abuse. All the people that come to that particular club get along with him so well that he even calls them over to have tea or dinner. This individual is very happy and has a high self-esteem that lights up the people faces as he talks to them. This is an example of the activity theory because this individual loves socialising with many different people. Retirement has not stopped him going out and living his life. He loves all the children and people that go to that club like his own.
