Abstract

This study examines the attitudes and subjective perceptions of the aging process as experienced by male (6) and female (9) subjects in retirement, over the age sixty-five. Data drawn from interviews conducted in the subject's home and based on a questionnaire of twenty-three open-ended questions explores their encounters with role changes, status loss, work, discrimination, family contacts, and gender differences in their aging. Feminist, Labelling, Activity, Disengagement, and Personality Theories are reviewed. The principal findings of this research indicate that there is a wide variety of styles of personal aging which I call liberated, volunteers, wanderers, family first, and retreaters. In general, all my sample were satisfied with their own aging, although many had experienced various forms of discrimination. Men and women seem to age in a similar way although they believe that they age differently. Most of my sample travelled extensively regardless of their income. Finally, roles became far more fluid as aging progressed relating to common interests and needs rather than to social obligations and roles