Aging questions

[basophilic]

1. Difference between age cohorts and generation cohorts?

Age cohorts are people of similar ages who may or may not have similar experiences; generational cohorts have had similar experiences. Correct?

2. What's the difference between the Continuity and the Activity theories of aging? Both seem to involve maintaining the same basic structure of lifestyle post-retirement.

Thanks for the input.

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[shefv]

1. correct

2. Continuity theory - people want to maintain/continue doing things that they did for most of their lives. For example, one of my profs who is now retired (doesn't teach courses anymore) but he still comes into his office everyday at his normal hours that he used to and sits on the computer, reading papers etc all day. He is continuing a similar level of activity that he used to pre-retirement. Another example is of those who do not retire and continue working even in their 80's and 90's etc.

Activity theory - after a person retires, they try to seek activities to help keep them engaged. For example, people going to a country club, attending various classes to learn new things, joining social groups, engaging in volunteer work.

You are right that both do involve maintain a lifestyle structure but there is the difference in how they choose to do so.

 

[basophilic]

Ah ok.
So the structure of the daily routine stays the same. But Continuity involves continuing job. Activity involves activities other than job.