Sociology / Unit 7 Soc 1142 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Disengagement Theory
Captions available
The idea
Disengagement theory, the earliest functionalist account of aging, holds that withdrawing from social roles is a natural part of growing old.
In practice
A retiree who stops attending meetings finds the dress and deadline norms of that world no longer apply to him, mutual release the theory describes.
Where people slip
This theory is no longer accepted in its classic form, since it treats withdrawal as universal.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Sociology